This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration upgraded a recall of Publix GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries to its highest risk category—Class 1, which the agency reserves for circumstances where exposure to a product carries a reasonable probability of causing serious health consequences or death—making that question very real for millions of consumers across eight states.
In and of itself, the recall is not new. Early in July, a recall for GreenWise Organic Blueberries was initiated by the San Carlos, Chile-based packing company Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. By July 29, all lots of four products—two sizes of organic whole blueberries and two sizes of organic whole mixed berries, both in 10-ounce and 48-ounce bags—were included in the recall. Potential contamination with E. Coli O145, a strain that can cause serious intestinal illness and, in certain situations, much worse, is the cause for concern.
The timeline is what gives this situation a sense of urgency. Customers who stocked up weeks or months ago may still have these bags in their freezers, unopened, because the products’ best-by dates extend into early 2028. The items were taken from the shelves of Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. However, taking something from a store shelf is not the same as taking it from someone’s home.
At least 12 confirmed illnesses have been linked to the outbreak thus far, according to federal health officials, and four hospitalizations have been reported in two states. As of the FDA’s most recent public update, the recall has not been linked to any fatalities. In fact, the Florida Department of Health started noticing unusual E. Coli cases back in June. Federal officials didn’t become involved until health investigators began interviewing sick patients, some of whom specifically mentioned purchasing blueberries at Publix. The FDA’s classification upgrade came weeks after the initial recall was announced, in part because that type of disease detective work takes time.
E. Coli infections should not be taken lightly. Usually occurring two to eight days after exposure, symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea that may turn bloody, and severe cramping in the stomach. The majority of healthy adults get better in roughly a week. However, the infection can develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous kidney condition that can be fatal, in young children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system. The precise extent of the contamination is still unknown, but the FDA’s remote evaluation of the Chilean facility seems to have been the catalyst for the recall’s wider July extension.
It’s important to understand what Class 1 actually entails in real life. Not every bag of these berries is contaminated, despite the FDA’s highest-risk classification. It indicates that regulators think the risk profile is severe enough that exposure could conceivably result in serious harm. That distinction is important, but anyone who has already consumed a few servings of these products over the last few weeks will probably find it cold comfort.
For blueberries, the recalled UPCs are 41415-06453 and 41415-12053; for mixed berries, they are 41415-06753 and 41415-12153. It is recommended that anyone with these products at home either discard them or send them back to Publix for a complete refund. It is important to thoroughly clean any surfaces that came into contact with the berries. You can contact Publix Customer Care at 800-242-1227 with any questions.
With Argentine beef, egg recalls, contamination linked to jalapeño, and now frozen organic berries, food safety watchers have been exceptionally busy. In public health circles, there is a growing perception that supply chain complexity is making cross-border contamination events more difficult to prevent and more difficult to detect. It’s really hard to tell if that feeling is a reflection of reality or just a particularly difficult period of bad luck. It’s easy to state that it’s worth taking sixty seconds to check your freezer today if you purchase frozen organic fruit from Publix in any of those eight states.
