Another blueberry product is being recalled due to concerns that it may be contaminated with E. coli.
The latest product is believed to be linked to an ongoing outbreak that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been investigating since May. This time, the product was available at Walmart. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
Back in May, the CDC began investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections. The outbreak was believed to be linked to blueberries.
In early July, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the public about a food recall associated with the outbreak.
As Fast Company reported at the time, that recalled product was Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries. It was manufactured by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, and sold at Publix stores.
Then, in late July, the FDA again notified the public of another blueberry product recall, this one also related to the ongoing E. coli outbreak.
This second recall encompassed four additional GreenWise Organic products containing whole blueberries and whole mixed berries.
Now, yet another product is believed to be linked to the E. coli outbreak, which has expanded to include 17 infections, six of which have required hospitalization.
What additional product is being recalled?
On September 2, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. announced a voluntary expansion of its previous recall. The FDA notified the public the next day.
That recall includes a single additional product:
- Product: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 OZ (Including Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries), with UPC: 7874211226
- Package Size: 10 oz
- Lot Code: 6040 01-6 (in front of the package)
- Best If Used By Date: February 9, 2028
Where was the recalled product sold?
The recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend was sold at select Walmart stores in more than a dozen states, according to the recall notice. Those states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Wisconsin
What should I do if I have the recalled products?
If you have the recalled product in your possession, you should not consume it. Instead, the recall notice instructs the consumer to dispose of the product or take it back to Walmart for a full refund.
How widespread is the blueberry E. coli outbreak?
According to a September 3 update from the CDC, the outbreak has so far resulted in 17 cases. Six of those individuals have required hospitalization. That’s a hospitalization rate of 35%.
So far, infections related to the outbreak are known to have occurred only in two states: Florida (13 cases) and Georgia (4 cases).
However, the FDA notes that while those infected are so far only from Georgia and Florida, the recalled products believed to be linked to the outbreak were distributed much more widely.
According to the FDA, the recalled products were distributed to the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
The CDC says the outbreak investigation is ongoing.