Posted on 08/19/2026 5:49:33 PM PDT by Red Badger
A voluntary recall of frozen organic blueberries has been elevated to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most serious risk category after evidence linked the products to a potentially life-threatening bacterial contamination.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, the FDA has reclassified the recall of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries as Class I. That designation applies when there is a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The original recall was initiated last month by Chile-based Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA after testing detected a presumptive positive result for E. coli. Publix later expanded the action, removing all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries from stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The supermarket chain had already placed an internal stop-sale on the berries at the end of June.
As of July 30, the FDA reported 12 confirmed illnesses in Florida and Georgia, four of which required hospitalization. No deaths have been recorded. Illness onset dates ranged from May 11 to June 5, and the investigation remains active.
Publix stated the products may have been contaminated with E. coli O145, a strain that produces Shiga toxins capable of damaging the intestinal lining. Symptoms typically include severe abdominal cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
While most healthy adults recover within a week, young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems face a heightened risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous complication that can lead to kidney failure.
Of the nine patients interviewed by health officials, seven reported consuming the frozen blueberries. Five specifically identified GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries purchased at Publix. The affected items were sold in 10-ounce and 48-ounce bags under UPCs 41415-06453 and 41415-12053 for the pure blueberries, and 41415-06753 and 41415-12153 for the mixed-berry blend.
“FDA and state partners are actively working to determine the source of contamination,” the agency said. Investigators have not yet identified how the fruit became tainted, though E. coli can enter produce through contaminated irrigation water containing animal feces. The bacteria can survive freezing temperatures and reactivate once the product is thawed and warmed.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised not to eat them and to discard or return the bags to the place of purchase. Anyone experiencing symptoms after eating the berries should seek medical attention promptly.
Just bought a bag of Costco branded organic blueberries today. Wonder if they’re the same source?
Seems like “No”.
BRAVE AI:
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. is a Chilean company dedicated to the marketing, export, and processing of fruits and vegetables, headquartered in San Carlos, Ñuble Region. Operating under the FRUSUR brand, the company specializes in the wholesale of fresh and processed products, employing over 1,300 people and maintaining branches in the Maule Region.
The company recently made headlines due to a Class I risk-level product recall ordered by the U.S. FDA. This action stemmed from potential *E. coli* contamination in bags of GreenWise-brand organic frozen blueberries (distributed by Publix), resulting in Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. being placed on the FDA’s Import Alert 99-35, which allows for the detention of future shipments.
Just not sure what I prefer - watery or bloody diarrhea?
Is there anything in our food supply left that isn’t tainted with some gross bacteria or toxins? How come everything is covered in sh*t?
You might find out if you eat them. Proceed with caution.
Not to be completely disgusting but there is great value in making sure the help have a sanitary place to go to the bathroom when they’re working.
That’s where the E. coli is coming from.
How about a twofer?
I looked it up at home
Frozen fruit bars recalled nationwide over possible glass contamination
These blueberries came from Chile.......
They keep it so that they can be reimbursed by the mfr for provable loss............
I knew I should not have had that blueberry smoothie. Ack, Ack, Ac.........
“Is there anything in our food supply left that isn’t tainted with some gross bacteria or toxins? How come everything is covered in sh*t?”
Food supply muncher safer than in the past.
We just have 50 bazillion Internet news sources now.
Before people just got sick and probably didn’t know why
Many foreign countries that we import food from use human and animal waste as fertilizer...................
Well, there’s also ‘EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA” from cyclospora contamination in lettuce, so the choices are there........
I’m holding out for explosive diarrhea. Always thought that was a cool name.
Eleven seconds. I vow revenge!
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