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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has elevated the risk classification of
a recall involving frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix
supermarkets, placing the products in the agency’s highest-risk recall category.
The action comes as federal and state health officials continue investigating a
multistate E. coli outbreak associated with frozen GreenWise organic berries.
The recalled products were distributed to Publix stores across eight states, and
consumers are being urged not to eat them. Anyone who still has the affected
berries in a freezer should throw them away or return them to the retailer for a
refund.
FDA Gives the Recall a Class I Classification
The FDA classifies food recalls according to the potential danger posed to
consumers. A Class I recall is the most serious category and is used when there is a
reasonable probability that exposure to a recalled product could result in serious
health consequences or death.
The classification does not mean that every person who consumes the product will
become seriously ill. Instead, it reflects the potential severity of the health risk and
the need for consumers to take the recall seriously.
The frozen berry recall involves four GreenWise products sold through Publix:
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce — UPC 41415-06453
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce — UPC 41415-12053
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce — UPC 41415-06753
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce — UPC 41415-12153
Publix announced the expanded recall on July 29, 2026, after an earlier recall
involving a specific lot of GreenWise organic blueberries. The FDA says all lots of
the affected whole blueberry and mixed berry products should be avoided.
E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Frozen Blueberries
The recall is connected to an investigation into E. coli O145, a Shiga toxin-producing
strain of E. coli, commonly referred to as STEC.
According to the FDA, 12 people in Florida and Georgia have been identified with
infections caused by the outbreak strain. Four people have been hospitalized,
while no deaths have been reported. Illnesses began between May 11 and June 5,
2026.
Health officials began investigating after illnesses were reported and interviews
with patients identified frozen blueberries as an important food exposure. The
investigation eventually connected the outbreak to GreenWise organic frozen
blueberries sold through Publix.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), together with
state and local health authorities, continue investigating the source and extent of
the contamination.
Because foodborne illness investigations can uncover additional affected products,
federal officials have warned that the advisory could be updated if new
information becomes available.
Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?
The recalled frozen berries were distributed to Publix locations in eight states:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
Although the affected products have been removed from sale, consumers may still
have them at home because some of the products have best-by dates extending
into 2028.
The FDA specifically advises consumers to check their freezers rather than
assuming that older frozen products are automatically safe.
Product Dates Can Extend Into 2028
One reason the food recall deserves attention is the long shelf life of frozen berries.
The originally recalled 10-ounce GreenWise organic blueberries had a best-by date
of February 9, 2028. The expanded recall later covered all lots of the specified
GreenWise whole blueberries and mixed berries.
That means a product purchased months ago could still be sitting inside a
household freezer today.
Consumers should therefore examine packages carefully and compare the product
information with the FDA recall details. If the original packaging is no longer
available and the consumer cannot determine whether the berries are included in
the recall, the FDA recommends throwing the product away.
What Is E. Coli and Why Can It Be Dangerous?
E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a large family of bacteria. Many E. coli strains are
harmless and naturally live in the intestinal systems of humans and animals.
However, certain strains can cause serious foodborne illness.
The strain involved in this investigation, E. coli O145, produces Shiga toxins that can
damage the intestinal system. In some patients, an infection can progress into a
serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
HUS can affect the kidneys and may become life-threatening.
Common symptoms of an E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps,
diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Diarrhea can sometimes become bloody. According
to the CDC, symptoms from STEC infections commonly begin several days after
exposure, although the timing can vary.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk?
Anyone can potentially become infected after consuming food contaminated with
pathogenic E. coli. However, certain groups are more vulnerable to severe
complications.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may face
a higher risk of serious illness.
Consumers who develop symptoms after eating the recalled berries should contact
a healthcare professional. People experiencing severe symptoms should seek
medical attention promptly, particularly if they develop bloody diarrhea,
significant weakness or signs that could indicate kidney complications.
The FDA recommends contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms resembling an
E. coli infection develop after consuming the recalled products.
What Should Consumers Do With the Recalled Berries?
The FDA's consumer guidance is straightforward: do not eat, sell or serve the
recalled GreenWise frozen berries.
If you have one of the affected products at home, you should either dispose of it or
return it to the place of purchase.
Consumers should also think about potential cross-contamination. Frozen berries
may have touched freezer shelves, containers, utensils, countertops or other food-
preparation surfaces.
The FDA advises thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and containers that
may have come into contact with the recalled products. This step can help reduce
the possibility of spreading bacteria to other foods or household surfaces.
How the Recall Developed
The situation began with an earlier recall involving GreenWise organic frozen
blueberries.
On July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a company based in San Carlos,
Chile, recalled a specific lot of frozen GreenWise organic blueberries. That product
was sold in 10-ounce packages and carried lot code 60401, with a February 9, 2028,
best-by date.
As the investigation progressed, Publix expanded its action on July 29 to include all
lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.
The FDA says its regulatory assessment of the supplier raised concerns about at
least one additional blueberry lot that had been used in other frozen GreenWise
products. The agency has also taken additional regulatory steps concerning frozen
blueberries from the supplier.
FDA Investigation Remains Ongoing
The frozen blueberry recall remains part of an active FDA foodborne illness
investigation.
The agency and its partners are working to determine how contamination occurred
and whether additional products may need to be added to the recall.
The FDA has also placed frozen blueberries from the supplier under an import alert,
meaning certain shipments may be detained when entering the United States
unless the company can demonstrate that the conditions associated with the
violation have been addressed.
For consumers, the most important message is to follow official food safety
instructions and avoid relying on appearance, smell or taste to determine whether
recalled frozen fruit is safe.
Food contaminated with harmful bacteria may not look or smell different from
normal food.
Why Food Recalls Matter for Consumer Safety
Food recalls are an important part of the U.S. food safety system. When regulators
identify a potential connection between a food product and illnesses, recalls allow
companies and government agencies to remove potentially dangerous products
from the marketplace.
The FDA maintains public information about food recalls and ongoing foodborne
illness investigations so consumers can respond quickly to health alerts.
The current GreenWise recall also demonstrates why consumers should pay
attention to product recall announcements even when food has already been
purchased and stored at home.
Frozen foods can remain in household freezers for long periods, meaning a recall
announced today may involve products purchased weeks or months earlier.
What Consumers Should Remember
The most important information from this FDA food recall is simple:
Do not consume the recalled GreenWise frozen blueberries or mixed berries listed
in the advisory.
Check your freezer, particularly if you shop at Publix locations in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia.
If you find a recalled product, discard it or return it to Publix for a refund. If the
berries were removed from their original packaging and you cannot determine
whether they are part of the recall, the FDA recommends throwing them away.
Clean and sanitize surfaces, containers and utensils that may have touched the
berries.
Finally, anyone who consumed the recalled products and develops symptoms
associated with an E. coli infection should contact a healthcare professional.
The FDA's investigation is still underway, and additional information could emerge
as officials continue tracing the source of the contamination. Consumers should
therefore monitor official FDA and CDC updates for the latest food safety alert,
recall information and public health guidance.
