The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to organic frozen blueberries sold at Publix stores and produced by a Chile-based company.
The CDC, in an X post on Monday, said that all lots of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries or mixed berries are being recalled due to potential E. coli contamination. All of the product’s lot numbers are included in the recall, it said.
“If you have them in your home, throw them out,” the health agency said.
Publix said through a recall notice issued via the Food and Drug Administration on July 30 that all lots sold by the retailer are under recall, adding that the products were shipped to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The company also stopped selling all frozen GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries at its stores, meaning they can no longer be purchased, it said.
The CDC said that 12 cases of E. coli, a type of bacteria, including four hospitalizations, were reported in connection with the products. Eleven of them were reported in Florida and one in Georgia, according to a map produced by the FDA.
Symptoms and Signs
CDC officials say that symptoms of E. coli can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, a low-grade fever, and a loss of appetite.
Severe symptoms can include a fever of 102 degrees Farheinheit or higher, diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than two days without improvement, bloody diarrhea or urine, signs of dehydration such as infrequent urination, a dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, if E. coli spreads beyond the stomach, other symptoms may occur. Should the bacteria infect the urinary tract, symptoms include pelvic or abdominal pain, pain or burning sensation when urinating, an urgent need to urinate frequently, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
“Many strains of E. coli cause mild infections. But some strains, like those that produce Shiga toxin, can cause serious illness, including kidney damage,” the clinic said on its website.
The CDC said that people who suspect they may have contracted E. coli and have severe symptoms should contact a healthcare provider.
List of Recalled Products
According to the FDA-issued notice, the impacted products are.
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
The items have best-by dates of Feb. 9, 2028, and were sent only to Publix stores in the aforementioned eight states.
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a San Carlos, Chile-based berry producer, initially announced the recall in early July, the July 30 FDA notice said.
