Tainted Berries Trigger Multi-State ALERT

Publix shoppers in eight states are being told to check their freezers after a recall of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries tied to 12 reported E. coli illnesses.

Quick Take

The recall covers one lot of 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries with lot code 60401 and best-by date February 9, 2028.
The supplier said the product tested presumptively positive for E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain.
Health reports linked 12 confirmed illnesses to the berries between May 11 and June 5, 2026.
Customers were told to return the berries for a refund or throw them away.

A Small Bag, a Wide Reach

The recall reaches Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. That is a large footprint for a single frozen fruit lot, and it shows how fast one product can move through a regional grocery network.

Publix said no other lot codes or best-by dates are part of the recall, which makes the warning narrow but urgent.

The supplier, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., said it acted after the product tested presumptively positive for E. coli O145:H28. The company also said it had received reports of 12 confirmed illnesses linked to the strain during a three-week span in May and June.

That is why officials are not treating this as a routine quality problem. They are treating it as a food safety event with a clear consumer action attached.

Why This Recall Matters

E. coli O145:H28 belongs to the group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The strain matters because these infections can become serious, especially for young children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems.

Frozen food does not erase that risk. Public health research shows that many pathogens can survive frozen storage.

This recall also fits a familiar pattern in berry-related food safety cases. The Food and Drug Administration has said that frozen berries have been linked to past outbreaks, including hepatitis A and norovirus, and has expanded berry testing and prevention efforts over time.

That broader history helps explain why a single blueberry lot can trigger such a fast response. Frozen fruit looks harmless, but once contamination enters the supply chain, the cold only preserves the problem.

What Shoppers Should Do Now

Consumers should not eat the recalled blueberries. Publix advised customers to return the product for a full refund or discard it, and it said shoppers should check bags purchased on or before July 3, 2026. The key identifiers are the lot code and best-by date. If the package does not match, it is not part of this recall.

🚨 Recall Alert
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur recalls GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10 oz) for E. coli O145 risk 🫐⚠️

📍 Sold at Publix in AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA
🗓️ Linked to 12 illnesses (May 11–Jun 5)

❗ E. coli can cause severe stomach issues – do not… pic.twitter.com/uohvZz5Pzo

— USA Recalls (@USA_Recalls) July 7, 2026

The larger lesson is simple. A recall like this is not about panic; it is about precision. The supplier acted before the problem spread further, and Publix moved to remove the product from homes and stores. That is how a food system should work when the stakes include a dozen sickened people and a pathogen known to hit hard and fast.