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 September 7, 2026
Frozen berries from Walmart have now been added to the list of frozen berry product linked to an E. coli outbreak. A common supplier was identified in the private label packages of berries and berry mixes, prompting an initial recall and then an expanded one.
Which frozen berries from Walmart are implicated? How many people have fallen sick in this E. coli outbreak? How do you know if you have E. coli and how bad can it get?
Follow along as we discuss the E. coli outbreak linked to frozen berries from Walmart and Publix.
So far, at least 17 people have been sickened with a common E. coli infection in this outbreak. At least six required hospitalizations.
Sick people have been reported in Florida (with 13 cases) and Georgia (another three cases). However, additional illnesses may be possible.
Reports indicate illnesses as early as May 11, with the last date of illness onset being recorded on August 6, 2026. It is important to note that it can take up to six weeks for a sick person’s sample to be connected to an ongoing outbreak investigation.
In early July the Make Food Safe blog discussed the initial findings and outbreak data when illnesses appeared to be limited to frozen Berries from Publix. Since then, more cases have been reported in connection to frozen berries from Walmart.
An extended recall has been initiated by the supplier impacting Greenwise and Great Value products.
It’s time again to peek in your freezers if you have purchased berries from Walmart or Publix this summer.
The initial recall was limited to a few varieties of frozen berries from Publix.
All lots of the following products are subject to this recall in eight states. If you shopped at Publix in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia, check your freezer for the following products:
The new recall involves a berry product from Walmart. Check your freezers if you have purchased frozen berries in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, or Wisconsin.
Great Value Organic Tripple Berry Blend 10 ounce (including Strawberries, Blackberries, and Berries), UPC: 7874211226, Lot Code: 6040 01-6, Best If Used By Date: February 9, 2028.
There is no way to tell if the frozen berries in your freezer are contaminated with E. coli. Contaminated frozen berries will not appear any different from those safe to consume. They do not look, smell, or taste different from those safe to eat.
For this reason, it is important to carefully check packages of frozen berries before consuming ones you have in your home or purchasing ones from the grocery store.
If you have consumed recalled frozen berries, 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. In fact, some people may not get sick at all. Others may experience symptoms which can vary from mild to severe.
Some people may not need medical care. While others experience life-threatening illness.
For those unlucky to consume contaminated frozen berries from Walmart or Publix, these symptoms often begin around three to four days after exposure. Though some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating the contaminated food.
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 or Great Value brand frozen berries 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 berry situation.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms. The foods you have eaten in the past few weeks. Or 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 berries 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)