Publix Super Markets and producer Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries due to E. coli contamination.
This expansion follows a CDC investigation that linked the fruit to an outbreak causing severe illness across several states. Because frozen products can remain in home freezers for extended periods, the broader recall is necessary to prevent further infections.
The outbreak has sickened 12 people [3], with four individuals requiring hospitalization [1]. The contaminated products were sold at Publix stores located in eight U.S. states [3].
While initial reports focused on a single lot of whole blueberries, the recall has broadened significantly. The current action now includes all lots of certain GreenWise frozen berries [3]. CDC investigators identified the contaminated blueberries as the source of the outbreak, which prompted the FDA and Publix to increase the scope of the recall to protect public health [4, 5].
Consumers who purchased GreenWise frozen berries are advised to check their packaging and avoid consuming any products associated with the recall. The company is working with federal health agencies to ensure all affected inventory is removed from store shelves across the affected regions.
Public health officials continue to monitor the situation as they track the origin of the E. coli strain. The coordination between the producer, the retailer, and the FDA is intended to mitigate the risk of additional hospitalizations as the investigation into the supply chain continues.
“The outbreak has sickened 12 people”
The expansion of this recall from a single lot to all lots of specific GreenWise frozen berries indicates that the contamination was likely systemic within the production process rather than an isolated incident. Because frozen produce has a long shelf life, the risk persists longer than it would with fresh fruit, necessitating a more aggressive removal strategy to stop the chain of infection.
