The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix Super Markets to Class I, its highest and most serious risk classification, over concerns about E. coli contamination.
What a Class I Recall Means
The FDA defines a Class I recall as a situation in which there is "a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." It's the agency's most urgent designation, reserved for products the FDA judges to carry a genuine, probable risk of serious harm.
How the Recall Unfolded
Publix first recalled a single lot of 10-ounce bags of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries in early July, after public health officials traced illnesses to organic frozen blueberries packed by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a supplier based in San Carlos, Chile. Publix halted sales of the affected berries at the end of June. Weeks later, based on a product traceback and further epidemiological information, and after a remote assessment of the Chilean packer raised concerns about additional lots, Publix expanded the recall on July 29 to cover all lots of four GreenWise organic frozen berry products, in both 10-ounce and 48-ounce bags. The FDA formally upgraded the recall to Class I on Tuesday, August 18.
Where the Products Were Sold
The recalled berries were distributed to Publix stores across eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Affected products include GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries (48-ounce, UPC 41415-12153) and GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries in both size formats. Full product images and lot details are available on the FDA's website.
The Outbreak Behind the Recall
The FDA and CDC are jointly investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain linked to the recalled berries. As of the latest CDC update, 12 people have been confirmed infected with the outbreak strain — 11 in Florida and one in Georgia — resulting in four hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. Illness onsets have ranged from mid-May to early June 2026.
Symptoms and Health Risks
E. coli O145:H28 can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and vomiting. In more severe cases, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can cause kidney failure and be life-threatening. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of serious complications from infection.
What to Do If You Have the Recalled Berries
The FDA advises consumers not to eat any of the recalled products. Instead, throw them away or return them to Publix for a full refund. If berries have been removed from their original packaging and can't be identified, the FDA recommends discarding them to be safe. Any recipes made and then frozen using the recalled berries — such as make-ahead muffins or pancakes — should also be discarded. Consumers should clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the recalled products, and seek medical attention if they've eaten the berries and feel ill.
Part of a Broader Pattern of Recent Recalls
This marks the second major food recall to receive the FDA's highest risk classification in recent weeks — just last week, the agency similarly upgraded a recall of nearly 19 million eggs to Class I over potential Salmonella contamination. Separately, frozen blueberries have faced other unrelated recalls this year tied to potential Listeria contamination, including a nearly 60,000-pound recall from Oregon-based Willamette Valley Fruit Company in February. For the full list of affected lot numbers and product images, see the FDA's official recall database.
With the recall now carrying the FDA's most serious designation, households in the affected states are urged to check their freezers immediately for the recalled GreenWise products rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.