During the hot summer months, there’s hardly anything better than chomping down on some sweet fruits to keep yourself cool. But now, one particular frozen blueberry product is suspected of sending people to the hospital, and multiple government agencies are warning consumers to steer clear of it due to E. coli fears. Here’s what you need to know about the frozen blueberry recall.
What’s happened?
On July 6, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice of a voluntary recall initiated three days earlier by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile. The recall involved one frozen blueberry product labeled under the company’s GreenWise brand. The product is being recalled because it is suspected of being the source of an ongoing E. coli outbreak, which is currently being investigated by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Those investigations have found that there is a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to the frozen blueberries. According to the CDC, that outbreak has now led to 12 cases in two states, and in a third of those cases, the people infected needed hospitalization (four individuals).
A map of the outbreak provided by the FDA shows that the reported illnesses have occurred in two states so far: Georgia and Florida, with Florida reporting 11 illnesses and Georgia reporting one.
What product is being recalled?
For now, both the FDA and CDC say only one product is believed to be the source of the outbreak, but that could change. As the FDA notes, “Additional products may be added to this advisory as the investigation continues.”
The recalled product is:
- Product: Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries
- Package Size: 10 oz
- Lot Code: 60401
- Best By Date: February 9, 2028
Frutas y Hortalizas S.A. said that it “has instructed 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.”
What is E. coli?
E. coli is a bacterium. While most types of E. coli are harmless, the CDC says that specific types can make people sick, particularly Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that can lead to permanent health problems and death.
As noted in Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A.’s recall notice, the recalled GreenWise frozen blueberries could be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145).
“E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause illness characterized by severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and vomiting,” the notice states. “While most healthy individuals recover within a week, some infections may result in a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.”
Where were the recalled products sold?
According to the FDA’s outbreak page, the recalled frozen blueberries are known to have been sold in Publix retail stores across eight states. Those states are:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
However, the FDA warns that the “product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states.”
What should I do if I have the recalled product?
Both the FDA and the CDC are urging consumers to check their freezers for the recalled blueberries. If you find them in your possession, you should not consume them and instead throw them away or return them to their place of purchase.
Additionally, the FDA warns that if you purchased blueberries, took them out of their original packaging to store separately, and do not remember which brand you bought, you should throw the blueberries away out of an abundance of caution.
The CDC also says that you should wash all items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled blueberries. Items and surfaces should be washed with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. says that consumers with questions about the recall can email Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or call 336-899-5612.