Frozen Blueberry Recall Receives FDA’s Most Severe Classification
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Publix has voluntarily recalled some of its frozen berries, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified this recall at the most severe level.
At the center of this recall are Publix’s Greenwise blueberries, which may be contaminated with E. coli. Adding to the concern over this recall is that the frozen berries, in some cases, will not expire until 2028.
So far, eight states are at risk from this outbreak, with two of those states reporting illnesses.
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About The Frozen Blueberry Recall
Frozen blueberries can sit for a long time in the freezer, awaiting use in a smoothie or for enjoyment as a simple snack … and contaminations can linger as well.
Back on July 29, Publix voluntarily recalled its potentially contaminated Greenwise blueberries, and the supplier of the fruit — Chile-based Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. — issued an earlier recall on July 3.
Prior to the July 3 recall, the Chilean supplier of the frozen blueberries noted that there were 12 “confirmed cases of consumers experiencing stomach illness” linked to E. coli, with the illnesses contracted between May 11 and June 5.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the FDA issued a new classification for the recall, categorizing it as a Class I recall, which is the highest risk level.
As a Class I, the FDA is telling the public that “there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to [the recalled frozen blueberries] will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” in accordance with the FDA’s definition of a Class I recall.
Leading up to that classification, the FDA investigated the Chilean supplier of the berries, listing several produce items that had not yet entered the United States under an Import Alert, noting that produce appeared to have been “prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions.”
Complicating the recall, the frozen blueberries have a Best By date of Feb. 9, 2028, and they are also found in packs of frozen mixed berries.
The four recalled Greenwise products are:
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce, UPC 41415-06453;
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce, UPC 41415-12053;
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce, UPC 41415-06753; and
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce, UPC 41415-12153.
These recalled frozen berries were shipped to eight states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Neither the CDC or the FDA have updated their numbers on confirmed cases of E. coli infections since July 30, with 12 cases confirmed in two states: Florida and Georgia.
The FDA reports that an E. coli infection (specifically one from Escherichia coli O145:H28, aka E. coli O145, which has been identified in this outbreak) “can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure … or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.”
Further, the FDA advises not to eat the recalled frozen berries, adding:
“Check your freezers for recalled berries and throw them away or return the product to the place of purchase. If you froze a product without the original packaging and can’t tell if it’s part of the recall, throw it away.”
This is a developing story.
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