Frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix grocery stores in eight Southern and mid-Atlantic states have been recalled after being linked to a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections that has sickened at least 12 people and hospitalized four, federal health officials say.
Recall details
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating E. coli O145:H28 infections tied to frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries produced by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile.
The recall covers 10‑ounce bags of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries with lot code 60401 and a “best by” date of Feb. 9, 2028.
The product was distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and federal officials are urging consumers to check their freezers and discard or return the affected bags.
Publix said in a statement that the supplier initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution” after reports of illness. “We are working closely with our supplier and regulatory partners to ensure that all potentially affected product is removed from our stores,” the chain said in its news release, which also advises customers to throw away frozen blueberries purchased on or before July 3, 2026, if they match the recalled lot code.
Illnesses and investigation
As of July 6, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O145 have been reported in two states, with illnesses beginning between May 11 and June 5, 2026, according to CDC investigators.
Of those cases, four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic interviews conducted by CDC and the Florida Department of Health found that seven of nine patients with detailed food histories had eaten frozen blueberries, and five specifically reported consuming GreenWise organic frozen blueberries from Publix.
“Epidemiologic data show that frozen GreenWise brand organic blueberries may be contaminated with E. coli O145 and may be making people sick,” CDC officials wrote in their outbreak update.
Dr. Frank Yiannas, FDA’s deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said in an FDA advisory that the agency is “actively working with state partners and the company to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products could be affected.”
“Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries,” the FDA advisory states.
Company and agency responses
In its recall announcement, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. said it was voluntarily pulling the product “after learning of a possible link between our frozen blueberries and a small number of illnesses in the United States.”
“The health and safety of consumers is our top priority,” the company said, noting that it is cooperating with FDA and CDC and reviewing its food safety systems at its Chilean facilities.
The company urged retailers and distributors to “immediately stop selling or serving” the impacted lot and to “isolate and destroy” any remaining inventory.
CDC emphasized that, while the number of reported illnesses remains relatively small, E. coli O145 infections can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.
“People usually get sick two to five days after swallowing E. coli, but illnesses can start as soon as one day or as long as 10 days after exposure,” CDC’s notice explains, warning that some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.
No additional cases have been added since the initial advisory, but FDA notes that the outbreak investigation is ongoing and case counts may rise as more people are interviewed and tested.
What consumers should do
Federal officials say anyone who has the recalled blueberries at home should not eat them and instead discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Publix advises customers with questions to call a dedicated consumer line at 336‑899‑5612 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or to email the supplier at info.
CDC recommends that anyone who recently ate frozen GreenWise organic blueberries and develops severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), or vomiting should contact a healthcare provider and ask whether testing for E. coli is appropriate.
“Even if you feel fine now, if you have this product in your freezer, the safest step is to throw it away,” FDA’s advisory notes.
Health officials also remind consumers to follow basic food safety practices, including washing hands and kitchen surfaces after handling frozen fruits and other foods, even when those foods are typically cooked or blended before eating.
