The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix grocery stores to its highest health risk level on Tuesday. The federal agency reclassified the July recall as "Class 1" following reports of potential E. coli contamination in organic fruit products. According to the FDA, this designation is reserved for situations where there is a "reasonable probability" that exposure to a product will result in serious adverse health consequences or death.
The initial recall was announced by Publix on July 29 after identifying potential contamination risks in specific GreenWise organic varieties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 12 people across two states have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli. As of the time of the FDA's update, no deaths have been linked to the outbreak.
The recall involves four specific products: GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries in both 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages. These items were distributed to Publix locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. All affected products have expiration dates listed before Feb. 9, 2028. The FDA advised consumers to either discard these items or return them to a Publix store for a full refund.
The upgrade to Class 1 status places these frozen berries in the same risk category as a recent salmonella-related egg recall, reflecting the agency's assessment of the potential for severe medical outcomes. This action serves as a formal notice to healthcare providers to look for symptoms of E. coli in patients who may have consumed these products. For Publix, the recall necessitates the removal of all remaining stock of the affected UPCs from store shelves and the processing of refunds for customers who return the items.
Shoppers should check their freezers for GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries (UPC 41415-06453 and 41415-12053) and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries (UPC 41415-06753 and 41415-12153). Because the expiration dates extend to February 2028, the risk of consumption remains present for products already stored in homes. The CDC and FDA have not yet reported a date for when the outbreak is expected to be contained or when the specific source of the E. coli within the supply chain will be identified.