Frozen Berry Recall Expands as E. Coli Outbreak Investigation Continues
A frozen berry recall linked to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, and federal health officials are urging consumers to check their freezers before eating recalled products.
What started as a recall involving certain GreenWise frozen blueberries has grown into a broader food-safety investigation. The FDA and CDC are now investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145 infections linked to frozen organic blueberries, with recalled products distributed across numerous states.
If you regularly keep frozen berries on hand for smoothies, oatmeal or desserts, this is one food-safety alert worth paying attention to.
What is happening with the frozen berries?
According to the FDA’s latest update, 17 people in two states have been infected with the outbreak strain, and six people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses began between May 11 and August 2, 2026.
Investigators found that many people who became sick reported eating frozen blueberries. The investigation remains ongoing, meaning additional products could potentially be identified as the investigation continues.
The original recall involved GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, sold through Publix stores in eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
But there is now another important development.
On September 2, the manufacturer expanded its recall to include one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, sold in 10-ounce packages at Walmart stores. The affected product has lot code 6040 01-6 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.
Which frozen berry products are affected?
The FDA currently lists these recalled products:
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries
- 10-ounce package
- UPC 41415-06453
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries
- 48-ounce package
- UPC 41415-12053
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries
- 10-ounce package
- UPC 41415-06753
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries
- 48-ounce package
- UPC 41415-12153
In addition, the recall now includes:
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend
- 10-ounce package
- Lot code 6040 01-6
- Best-by date February 9, 2028
The Great Value product was distributed to Walmart stores in 16 states, while the recalled GreenWise products were distributed through Publix stores in eight states.
Because food products can sometimes move beyond their original distribution areas, consumers should rely on the official recall information and packaging details rather than assuming a product is safe simply because it was purchased somewhere else.
Why is E. coli a concern?
The strain involved in this investigation is E. coli O145, a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, commonly called STEC.
E. coli infections can cause significant stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. Some people develop bloody diarrhea, and in more serious cases the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can cause serious kidney problems.
Older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to complications.
Symptoms do not necessarily appear immediately. The CDC says symptoms from STEC infections commonly begin about three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, although the timing can vary.
That delay is one reason foodborne illness can sometimes be difficult to connect with something eaten several days earlier.
What should you do if you have frozen berries at home?
The most important step is simple: check your freezer.
If you find a recalled product, don’t eat it. The FDA and CDC advise consumers to discard recalled berries or return them to the store where they were purchased.
If you transferred berries into another container and no longer have the original packaging, determining whether they are part of the recall may be difficult. The FDA advises throwing away the product if you cannot establish whether it is recalled.
It’s also important to clean containers, utensils and surfaces that may have touched recalled berries. This helps reduce the possibility of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Should you stop eating frozen fruit?
Not necessarily.
A recall involving specific products does not mean all frozen fruit is contaminated. Frozen berries remain a convenient way to add fruit to meals, but consumers should pay attention to current food-safety alerts and check packaging when a recall is announced.
The bigger lesson is that frozen foods deserve the same attention as fresh foods when a contamination warning is issued.
For families, and particularly households with older adults or people with health conditions, staying informed can be more useful than avoiding an entire category of nutritious foods.
When should you contact a healthcare professional?
Anyone who has eaten a recalled product and develops concerning symptoms should contact a healthcare professional.
The CDC recommends seeking medical care for symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than three days, diarrhea accompanied by a high fever, repeated vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration.
People who are older or medically vulnerable should be especially attentive to significant symptoms.
For now, the FDA’s investigation remains active. The safest approach is straightforward: check your freezer, compare products with the official recall information, and don’t consume anything identified as recalled.
Food recalls can be unsettling, especially when the product is something as ordinary as frozen fruit. But knowing exactly what is affected—and acting on reliable information—can help families protect themselves without unnecessary alarm.
Photo by Devin Rajaram on Unsplash
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