The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix to the highest health risk level.
“Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries 10 oz. Because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145),” Publix announced last month.
The FDA is now categorizing it as a “Class 1” recall, which the agency assigns to product recalls that have a “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
“The FDA warns the products could cause serious illness or death, with 12 people believed to have been sickened, but no deaths reported,” CBS Mornings stated.
Watch below:
There has been a recall of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix, escalated over concerns of potential E. coli contamination.
The FDA warns the products could cause serious illness or death, with 12 people believed to have been sickened, but no… pic.twitter.com/JVOZZvlhfz
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 20, 2026
CBS News shared further:
The following products, shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, are under recall. They should be discarded or returned to Publix for a full refund. Their expiration dates are before Feb. 9, 2028.
ADVERTISEMENT
- 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
“After receiving reports of consumers experiencing digestive illnesses and having consumed GreenWise frozen blueberries as part of their diet, Frutas y Hortalizas S.A. has decided to initiate the recall,” Publix stated last month.
“Consumers who have frozen GreenWise blueberry products with the affected lot date should not consume it. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund,” it added.
Blueberry recall over deadly E. coli fears hits FDA's highest-risk level – with 12 sickened, 4 hospitalized https://t.co/palMPX2ogE pic.twitter.com/jFC4c2aKwE
— New York Post (@nypost) August 19, 2026
The Hill noted:
The FDA has previously explained, however, that it often categorizes a recall well after the initiating firm makes the recall announcement, so classifications should not necessarily be viewed “as an expansion or change” to the firm’s initial recall.
The FDA urges any consumers who had eaten the recalled blueberries to contact a healthcare provider if they experience symptoms of possible E. coli infection.
E. coli “can cause bad stomach cramps, bloody loose stools and vomiting, called diarrheal infection,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of developing serious health complications from it.
