Twelve people got sick from E. coli after eating frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix, and the bags may still be sitting in your freezer right now.
Story Snapshot
- A Chilean supplier recalled one lot of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries sold at Publix stores in eight states after 12 confirmed E. coli illnesses.
- The affected bags are 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.
- Illnesses were reported between May 11 and June 5, 2026, linked to E. coli O145:H28, a strain that can cause kidney failure in severe cases.
- Publix is offering a full refund for any GreenWise frozen blueberries purchased on or before July 3, 2026.
What Happened and Who Is Affected
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a food company based in San Carlos, Chile, announced a voluntary recall of its frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries after the product tested positive for Escherichia coli O145:H28.
The recalled product was shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Only one production lot is included in the recall. No other lot codes or best-by dates are affected.
The E. coli strain in question, O145:H28, belongs to a group called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. For most people, that means severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
But for the young, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system, it can trigger hemolytic uremic syndrome — a form of kidney failure that can be fatal. This is not a mild stomach bug. It is a serious bacterial infection that demands immediate action.
How to Find the Recalled Bags in Your Freezer
Check your freezer right now if you shop at Publix. The recalled product is a 10-ounce bag labeled GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries. Look for lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.
Publix says any GreenWise frozen blueberries purchased on or before July 3, 2026, should be returned to the store for a full refund or discarded. Do not eat them. If you have questions, call 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.
The Illness Count Comes From the Supplier, Not Federal Agencies
One detail worth noting: the 12 confirmed cases of illness come from the supplier itself, not from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of the recall announcement, neither agency had posted a public outbreak notice tied to this product.
That is not unusual. Federal agencies typically wait for genetic confirmation before going public, which can create a gap between when a company acts and when Washington speaks. The supplier’s decision to act before federal confirmation is actually the right call — waiting costs lives.
🚨 Recall Alert
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur recalls GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10 oz) for E. coli O145 risk 🫐⚠️📍 Sold at Publix in AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA
🗓️ Linked to 12 illnesses (May 11–Jun 5)❗ E. coli can cause severe stomach issues – do not… pic.twitter.com/uohvZz5Pzo
— USA Recalls (@USA_Recalls) July 7, 2026
The FDA posted the recall notice on its website and assigned it a Class I risk level, its highest category, meaning there is a reasonable chance the product could cause serious harm or death.
That federal classification matters. It tells you this is not a precautionary recall over a remote possibility. Regulators believe the risk is real.
Freezing Does Not Kill E. coli — That Is the Whole Problem
Many people assume frozen fruit is safe because the cold kills germs. It does not. Research shows that dangerous bacteria and viruses can survive — and remain infectious — for months in frozen storage.
There is no “kill step” built into frozen berry processing the way there is with, say, pasteurized juice or cooked meat. You buy the berry essentially as it left the field. That is why contamination at the source, in this case a farm or processing facility in Chile, can reach your kitchen intact and dangerous months later.
Frozen Berries Have a Documented History of Contamination
This recall fits a pattern that food safety experts have tracked for decades. The FDA documented four major frozen berry outbreaks in the United States between 1997 and 2016, most of which were linked to hepatitis A and norovirus. E. coli outbreaks in berries are rarer but not unheard of.
A 2006 outbreak sickened five people with a different E. coli strain tied to berries. Imported frozen produce travels a long supply chain with many points where contamination can enter, and the cold chain preserves whatever gets in.
What You Should Do Right Now
Go to your freezer. Pull out any GreenWise frozen blueberry bags. Check the lot code and best-by date. If the bag shows lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028, do not eat it. Throw it away or take it back to Publix for a full refund.
If you or someone in your home has had bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, or vomiting after eating these blueberries since mid-May, see a doctor and mention the recall. Early treatment can prevent the worst outcomes.
Sources:
foxbusiness.com, delish.com, fda.gov, miamiherald.com, marlerclark.com, fooddive.com, ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu
