Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O145:H28: Frozen Blueberries (July 2026)
Do not eat, sell, or serve a specific lot of recalled Great Value frozen berries or recalled GreenWise frozen berries. FDA's investigation is ongoing.
Product (updated 9/3/2026)
On September 2, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded their recall to include Great Value-brand Organic Triple Berry Blend 10-oz, Lot Code 6040 01-6 with Best by Date of February 9, 2028.
On July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled a single lot of frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries in 10-oz packages with printed lot code of 60401 (printed on package as 6 040 01) and Best by Date of February 9, 2028.
On July 29, 2026, Publix announced that it recalled all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries. Recalled products include:
- 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
On July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled a single lot of frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries in 10-oz packages with printed lot code of 60401 (printed on package as 6 040 01) and Best by Date of February 9, 2028.
Symptoms of E. coli Infection:
Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.
The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli causing the infection. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
Stores affected (updated 9/3/2026)
Recalled Great Value-brand Organic Triple Berry Blend was shipped to Walmart retail stores in 16 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
Recalled GreenWise-brand product was shipped to Publix retail stores throughout 8 states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Status:
Ongoing
Recommendations:
- Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend or GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.
- Check your freezers for recalled berries and throw them away or return the product to the place of purchase. If you froze a product without the original packaging and can’t tell if it’s part of the recall, throw it away.
- Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and foodservice customers who purchased or received recalled berries, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
- Retailers that received recalled berries and repackaged them for individual sale should not sell them and should remove the products from the market.
- Consult your health care provider immediately if you ate recalled frozen berry products and have any symptoms that resemble an E. coli infection.
Current Update
September 3, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 infections linked to organic frozen blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC and Florida Department of Health (FDOH) state partners, a total of 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from two states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 11, 2026, to August 2, 2026. Eleven of 13 (85%) cases interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries. There have been six hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.
On September 2, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile expanded their recall to include one lot of Great Value-brand Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend product sold in 10-oz packages with a printed lot code of 6040 01-6 and Best by Date of February 9, 2028, sold at Walmart stores in 16 states. Consumers should check their freezers for recalled product and should not eat it. Discard recalled product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and this advisory will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
Case Count Map Provided by CDC
Product Distribution Map
Distribution of recalled products has been confirmed for states shown below, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 17
Hospitalizations: 6
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: August 6, 2026
States with Cases: FL, GA
Product Distribution: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.
Useful Links
- CDC Outbreak Advisory
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Recall Expansion
- Publix Recall Announcement
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A Recall Announcement
- Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
- Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
- Who to Contact?
- What is E. coli?
Product Images
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
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz, Lot Code 6040 01-6
Previous Updates
July 30, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 infections linked to organic frozen blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile.
Publix proactively recalled all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries due to potential E. coli contamination. The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores throughout 8 states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. As of the end of June 2026, Publix immediately conducted an internal stop sale of frozen GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries. These products remain unavailable for sale.
Customers who have purchased the following frozen GreenWise products are reminded not to consume them, and the product(s) should be discarded or returned to Publix for a full refund.
- 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
As part of this investigation, FDA conducted a remote regulatory assessment (a remote inspection) of Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile, and collected records from the firm to better understand their procedures and hazard controls, or abilities to prevent food from becoming contaminated. Based on inspection findings, FDA had concerns about at least one other lot of blueberries that was used in additional frozen GreenWise products. Publix has recalled such products, as indicated above.
Additionally, FDA has concerns about other products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. that have not entered the U.S. market. FDA has communicated its concerns to the firm. FDA has added products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A, of San Carlos, Chile to Import Alert 99-35. Frozen blueberries from this firm that are offered for entry into the United States may be detained without physical examination. The firm may submit documentation demonstrating that they have resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of a violation for frozen blueberries.
FDA and state partners are actively working to determine the source of contamination. Additional products may be added to this advisory as the investigation continues. This advisory will be updated as new information becomes available.
July 6, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 infections linked to frozen GreenWise brand-organic blueberries recalled by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A, of San Carlos, Chile.
On July 1, 2026, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) notified CDC partners about an ongoing investigation into a cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses. Based on interviews with sick people, frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries sold at Publix were identified as the leading food item of interest in this outbreak. Florida state partners shared their findings with Publix Headquarters and, in response, Publix immediately conducted an internal stop sale of frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries at their stores.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC and FDOH state partners, a total of twelve people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from two states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 11, 2026, to June 5, 2026. Seven of 9 (78%) cases interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries. Of which, 5 specified GreenWise- brand organic frozen blueberries purchased from Publix. There have been four hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.
In response to this investigation, on July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile recalled frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries, sold in 10-oz packages with a printed lot code of 60401 and Best by Date of February 9, 2028. The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Consumers should check their freezers for the recalled product and should not consume it. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
FDA and state partners are actively working to determine the source of contamination. Additional products may be added to this advisory as the investigation continues. This advisory will be updated as new information becomes available.
Who to Contact?
Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction),
visit Industry and Consumer Assistance.
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