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CDC and FDA Warn of Recalled Frozen Blueberries
A multistate E. coli investigation has prompted recalls of GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries. Here is what home cooks should check, discard and clean.
Home cooks should check their freezers after U.S. health authorities linked an ongoing E. coli investigation to recalled GreenWise organic frozen berries. The CDC outbreak advisory, dated July 30, 2026, says frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries were recalled after illnesses were reported in two states. The FDA investigation remains ongoing, so consumers should rely on the product details rather than assume that freezing or cooking makes a recalled item suitable to eat.
What the CDC and FDA reported
The FDA and CDC are investigating E. coli O145:H28 infections linked to organic frozen blueberries supplied by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. in Chile. The FDA reported 12 illnesses, four hospitalizations and no deaths. Confirmed product distribution covers Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, although the FDA notes that distribution may have reached farther.
The CDC first identified a recalled 10-ounce package of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028. The later update expanded the recall to all lots of four GreenWise products:
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10 ounces, UPC 41415-06453.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48 ounces, UPC 41415-12053.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10 ounces, UPC 41415-06753.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48 ounces, UPC 41415-12153.
The product notices cover GreenWise organic frozen whole blueberries and whole mixed berries sold through Publix. Because the investigation is still active, the FDA says additional products could be added to the advisory.
What to do in a home kitchen
The agencies' instruction is direct: do not eat, sell or serve the recalled berries. That includes using them in smoothies, baked goods, sauces or desserts. Do not taste a package to decide whether it is safe. Cooking is not a substitute for following a recall notice.
- Check the freezer for GreenWise organic whole blueberries or whole mixed berries. Compare the package name, size and UPC with the FDA list. If the berries were removed from their original packaging and you cannot identify them confidently, discard them.
- Keep any matching product away from other food while you arrange its disposal or return. Do not open the package, rinse the berries or transfer them to another container.
- Throw the recalled product away or return it to the place of purchase, following the retailer's instructions. Do not donate it or give it to another household.
- Clean and sanitize containers, shelves, utensils and work surfaces that may have touched the berries or their packaging. The CDC advises washing affected items and surfaces with hot, soapy water or using a dishwasher; the FDA also advises careful cleaning and sanitizing to reduce cross-contamination.
After cleaning, wash your hands with soap and water. If a leaking package touched other food, packaging or freezer surfaces, treat those areas as potentially contaminated and clean them before using the freezer normally. These steps are practical precautions drawn from the CDC and FDA notices, not a replacement for medical advice.
Symptoms that warrant medical attention
According to the CDC, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody and vomiting. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, while the FDA notes that illness can appear several days after exposure and in some cases up to nine days later. Many people recover without treatment in five to seven days, but some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney complication.
Anyone who ate a recalled product and develops bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with a high fever, diarrhea lasting more than three days, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration should contact a healthcare provider. The CDC specifically lists reduced urination, dry mouth or throat and dizziness when standing as warning signs. People with symptoms should tell the healthcare provider that they may have been exposed to recalled frozen berries.
Why the freezer check matters
Frozen foods can remain in a household for weeks or months, which is why an active recall can matter well after the original purchase. A bag may also be stored beside other frozen fruit or divided into recipe portions, making the package details easy to overlook. The FDA's advice is to check the freezer carefully, follow the product list, and discard any recalled berries or any product that cannot be identified with confidence.
This is a food-safety alert, not a quality complaint. Until the investigation is complete, the safest kitchen decision is to keep the listed berries out of meals and clean any surface they touched. For the latest product details and updates, consult the FDA investigation notice and the CDC advisory before preparing frozen berries from the same shopping trip.