Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in E. coli,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 7, 2026
If you shop at Publix you need to check your freezer for E. coli in frozen blueberries. An outbreak and subsequent recall have been announced after illnesses in Florida were traced back to frozen blueberries sold at the national grocery store chain. Additional illnesses in Georgia have been connected to this outbreak.
Which blueberries are impacted? How do you know if you have an E. coli infection and what should you do if you get sick?
Here’s what we know so far about the multistate outbreak from E. coli in frozen blueberries!
So far, 12 people have fallen sick with a dangerous E. coli infection. Of which, four required hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. This outbreak involves closely related Escherichia coli O145:H28 bacteria, which can cause serious and life-threatening illness. These illnesses started between May 11, 2026, with the last date of illness onset currently documented as June 5, 2026. Additional illnesses will likely be added to the outbreak table as more information becomes available.
Initial reports to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came from the state of Florida. However, cases in Georgia have also been added to the outbreak table.
During their ongoing investigation, the Florida Department of Health interviewed sick people in the outbreak. Based on these interviews, frozen GreenWise-brand blueberries sold at Publix were identified as “the leading food item of interest in this outbreak.” Of the people available for interview, 78% reported eating frozen blueberries. Most specifically indicated GreenWise-brand organic frozen blueberries purchased from Publix.
In response to this notification, Publix immediately conducted an internal stop sale of the potentially contaminated frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries at their stores.
A store-specific recall helped keep additional products from reaching consumer carts and freezers. Shortly after, the supplier, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile initiated a recall of their own “because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28.”
For now, a single lot of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries have been recalled.
Check Your Freezers For:
Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, 10 oz
Lot Code: 60401, Best By: February 9, 2028
For now, no other lot codes and/or Best By dates are included in this recall.
While cases are currently being reported in two states, recalled product was shipped to a total of eight. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Consumers in these states should check their freezers for the affected products. Do Not Consume It!
The supplier, Frutas y Hortalizas S.A. is working closely with the appropriate regulatory authorities and customers during this recall. Additionally, the company has instructed that “all customers receiving the affected lot to immediately isolate the product, discontinue its distribution, and notify any downstream customers who may have received the affected lot.”
Contaminated frozen blueberries will not appear any different from those safe to consume. They will not look, smell, or taste differently. Carefully check packages of frozen blueberries before consuming ones you have in your home or purchasing ones from the grocery store.
If you have consumed recalled frozen blueberries, monitor yourself for symptoms and call your doctor right away if you become sick.
Not everyone exposed to E. coli experiences the same severity of illness. The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Some people may not need medical care. While others experience life-threatening illness. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food. In this case, frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days. Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illnesses or develop serious complications. Complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli O145:H28 in this outbreak. It is unclear if any of the hospitalized patients have this deadly complication.
HUS develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. Which can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include:
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
If you have consumed GreenWise-brand frozen blueberries and experienced symptoms consistent with E. coli illness, call your health care provider right away and/or report your illness.
Even if your symptoms are mild, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department. This can help investigators get a better picture of the scope of this E. coli in frozen blueberries situation.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms, the foods you have eaten in the past few weeks, and other supporting information. So have that information handy.
If you have been seriously affected by this outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced E. coli lawyer.
If you believe you may be impacted by E. coli in frozen blueberries and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an E. coli lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no-obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)