If you love tossing a handful of frozen blueberries into your morning smoothie or oatmeal, take a quick timeout. You’ll want to check your freezer right away.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially upgraded an ongoing food recall to a Class I recall—the agency’s most severe warning level. This designation means there is a “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Here is everything you need to know about what happened, which products are affected, and what you should do to stay safe.
Which Products Are Affected by the Recall?
The recall centers on specific organic frozen berry products sold at Publix supermarkets across several states:
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Alabama
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Florida
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Georgia
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Kentucky
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North Carolina
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South Carolina
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Tennessee
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Virginia
The items fall under the GreenWise Organic brand supplied by a Chile-based producer, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A.
Specific Products and UPC Codes to Check:
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GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries (10-ounce): UPC 41415-06453
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GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries (48-ounce): UPC 41415-12053
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GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries (10-ounce): UPC 41415-06753
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GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries (48-ounce): UPC 41415-12153
These products carry expiration dates stretching up through early 2028, meaning many bags could easily be sitting unnoticed in household freezers.
Why Did the FDA Issue a Class I Warning?
The recall was triggered after public health officials and the CDC linked a multi-state illness outbreak to the berries. Traceback data and epidemiological investigations confirmed contamination with E. coli O145, a dangerous Shiga toxin-producing strain of bacteria.
Unlike everyday strains of bacteria, E. coli O145 can pack a severe punch. Symptoms usually begin a few days after consumption and include:
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Intense, painful stomach cramps
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Bloody diarrhea
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Persistent vomiting
In more severe cases—particularly for young children, older adults, and anyone with a compromised immune system—the infection can trigger Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is a life-threatening condition that can lead to acute kidney failure, requiring immediate hospitalization.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have any of these GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries or mixed berries tucked away, do not eat them.
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Check your freezer: Look closely at the brand, product name, and UPC codes listed above.
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Throw them out or return them: Safely discard the berries or bring them back to your local Publix store for a full refund.
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Clean up: If the berries touched any counters, bins, or other food containers, wash those surfaces thoroughly with hot, soapy water to prevent cross-contamination.
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Monitor your health: If you or a family member has eaten these berries and developed symptoms like severe stomach pain, fever, or bloody stool, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Stay Informed on Consumer Safety
Food recalls can feel overwhelming, but taking a quick two-minute inventory of your freezer is an easy way to keep your family safe. For continuous updates on public health alerts, product safety recalls, and breaking news, bookmark and check back regularly at UsaNetworkDaily.
Stay safe out there, and share this post with friends or family who shop at Publix!
