Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O145:H28: Frozen Blueberries (July 2026)
Recall Expansion: Do not eat, sell, or serve specific lots of recalled Great Value or recalled Trader Joe’s frozen berry products.
Product (Updated 10/5/2026)
On October 2, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded their recall to include additional lots of Great Value frozen organic triple berry blend 10-oz, Great Value frozen organic blueberries 10-oz, and one lot of Trader Joe’s-brand frozen organic mixed berry blend 12-oz.
Recalled products should no longer be available for sale; however, recalled product has “Best By” dates ending in 2028. Consumers should check their homes for any remaining recalled product and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
You can find previously recalled product information here:
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Recall Expansion
- Publix Recall Announcement
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A Recall Announcement
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
Recalled products should no longer be available for sale.
Status
Ended
Recommendations
- Although this outbreak has ended, consumers should check their homes for the additional products that were recalled on October 2, 2026. Consumers who have recalled products should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled frozen berry products.
- Recalled products should no longer be available for sale; however, recalled product has “Best By” dates ending in 2028. Consumers should check their homes for any remaining recalled product and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
- 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
October 5, 2026
This outbreak was declared over on September 21, 2026. Although no new illnesses have been reported since this outbreak ended, additional products that may be contaminated have been identified and recalled.
On October 2, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile, expanded their recall again, to include additional products. The expanded recall includes:
- Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10-oz (Including Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries), 10-oz, Lot Code: 6 031 01, 6 041 01 (in front of the package), with Best If Used By Dates: January 31, 2028 and February 10, 2028.
- Great Value Organic Blueberries 10-oz, Lot Code: 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01 (in front of the package), with Best If Used By Dates: January 19, 2028; February 9, 2028 and June 12, 2028.
- Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend 12-oz, Lot Code: 6 051 01 (in back of the package), with Best Before Date: February 20, 2028.
As of September 21, 2026, CDC has declared the outbreak over. 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.
Although this outbreak is over, the additional recall expansion follows new information obtained by FDA investigators during an onsite foreign inspection. Previously, during the outbreak investigation, the firm did not provide all records to FDA that the Agency had asked the firm to voluntarily provide.
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.
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, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI, and Puerto Rico.
Useful Links
- CDC Outbreak Advisory
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Recall Expansion (10/2/2026)
- Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Recall Expansion (9/2/2026)
- 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
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Previous Updates
September 21, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated 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.
As of September 21, 2026, CDC has declared the outbreak over. 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.
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. FDA also collected finished product samples of product in the US. All samples collected by the FDA were reported as negative; however, earlier in the investigation, Publix, as a customer of Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile, collected and tested product samples of their GreenWise-brand Frozen Blueberries, and one sample tested positive for the same strain of E. coli that made people sick in this outbreak. Publix recalled all of their Greenwise-brand organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries, and they should no longer be available for sale.
In response to this investigation, on July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile recalled one lot of frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries. 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. Recalled products should no longer be available for sale; however, some recalled product has “Best By” dates ending in 2028. Consumers should check their freezers for recalled product and should not eat it.
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. FDA’s outbreak investigation is complete.
September 11, 2026
On September 11, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile updated their recall press to clarify the recalled 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, was sold at Walmart stores in 26 states and Puerto Rico (new states include: IA, KS, MI, NE, ND, SD, and WV). 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.
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.
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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