The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has elevated the recall of certain GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold through Publix to its highest risk classification after the products were associated with a multistate E. coli outbreak.
The FDA designated the recall as Class I, the agency’s most serious category, on Aug. 18, meaning there is a reasonable probability that consuming or being exposed to the affected products could result in serious health consequences or death.
The recall involves four GreenWise products that were distributed through Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with expiration dates extending into February 2028, raising the possibility that some packages could still be stored in household freezers.
The products were initially recalled after concerns emerged over potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and federal health officials have linked the contaminated berries to an outbreak that has sickened 12 people in two states, with four patients requiring hospitalization.
The affected products include 10-ounce packages of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries carrying UPC 41415-06453 and 48-ounce packages carrying UPC 41415-12053, along with 10-ounce packages of GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries carrying UPC 41415-06753 and 48-ounce packages carrying UPC 41415-12153.
Publix initially announced a recall covering the frozen berry products on July 29 after an earlier supplier recall involving GreenWise organic blueberries was expanded as additional information became available during the investigation.
Although the recalled berries were removed from Publix stores, federal officials are warning consumers that previously purchased packages could remain in home freezers because of their relatively distant expiration dates, making it important for shoppers to check products before consuming them.
The FDA advises consumers who have any of the recalled products not to eat them and instead to discard the packages or return them to a Publix store for a full refund, even if the berries appear normal or have been stored frozen since purchase.
E. coli infections can cause severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, while some infections can produce more serious complications, particularly among young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
In severe cases, an E. coli infection can develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that can damage the kidneys and may require hospitalization and intensive medical treatment.
Health officials have not reported any deaths associated with the blueberry outbreak, but the FDA’s Class I designation reflects the potential seriousness of exposure to the recalled products rather than a determination that every package is contaminated.
Consumers who believe they may have developed symptoms after eating the recalled berries should pay attention to serious or persistent symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, prolonged diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration, and seek medical attention when appropriate.
The upgraded berry recall comes amid a broader period of food-safety investigations and recalls involving several types of produce and other products across the United States, underscoring the importance of checking federal recall notices when a product may still be present in consumers’ homes.
