Publix shoppers are being told to dig into their freezers after a batch of GreenWise frozen blueberries was tied to a cluster of E. coli illnesses and pulled from store shelves across the Southeast. The recall targets specific 10‑ounce bags of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, and customers are being urged not to eat the product until they confirm it is not part of the affected lot.
What was recalled
Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. is recalling lot no. 60401 of GreenWise Organic IQF Whole Blueberries in 10‑ounce bags marked with a best‑by date of Feb. 9, 2028. In a company notice published via StreetInsider, the supplier said the lot was shipped to Publix stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia and instructed retailers to isolate the product. Consumers were told not to consume the affected lot and to discard it or return it for a full refund.
Illnesses and the strain
The recall follows reports of 12 confirmed cases of stomach illness linked with E. coli O145:H28 between May 11 and June 5, as reported by the Miami Herald. That strain is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause severe diarrhea and, in some cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life‑threatening form of kidney failure, according to the FDA. The Miami Herald also noted Publix's posting asking customers to return or discard any frozen GreenWise blueberries purchased on or before Friday.
What to do if you bought it
Publix and the supplier say customers should not eat the affected product and may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. The supplier's recall notice lists an email ([email protected]) and a consumer helpline at 336‑899‑5612 for questions, per StreetInsider. If you disposed of the product, hold any packaging or receipts in case public health investigators request them.
Why this matters
Frozen berries have been implicated in multiple multi‑state outbreaks and recalls, showing how contamination at origin or during processing can persist through freezing and distribution. Federal outbreak data and past investigations have repeatedly highlighted berries and other imported frozen fruit as recurring sources of viral and bacterial outbreaks; see federal outbreak summaries for background. Officials said the supplier and retailers are cooperating with regulators as they investigate the finding.
When to seek care
Most people recover from STEC infections within about a week, but anyone who develops bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps or signs of decreased urination should seek immediate medical attention. The CDC warns that HUS is a medical emergency and lists warning signs such as reduced urination, paleness and extreme fatigue; people with those symptoms should go to an emergency room. If you think you may be sick after eating the recalled product, contact your doctor or local health department and report your illness so investigators can follow up.
