E. coli Berry Recall
Publix Expands Frozen Berry Recall Across Eight States Due to E. coli Contamination
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Publix has expanded its recall of frozen GreenWise berries across eight states after at least 12 people got sick from E. coli contamination. The grocery chain is now pulling all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries — not just one specific lot — from stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, according to WSMV.
Four people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The CDC and FDA published updated alerts on July 30, 2026, urging anyone with these products at home to stop eating them and return them to a Publix store for a full refund.
How a Single Lot Recall Became a Full Product Pullback
The trouble started between May 11 and June 5, 2026, when 12 people — 11 in Florida and 1 in Georgia — fell ill with E. coli O145:H28, a strain that produces toxins attacking the digestive tract. On July 3, the Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur issued a narrow recall covering just one 10-ounce lot of GreenWise blueberries with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028, according to Fox Carolina.
That limited action wasn't enough. Epidemiologists traced illnesses back through the supply chain, and on July 29, Publix expanded the recall to cover all lots of both products. The company said it acted "out of an abundance of caution" based on public health traceback data. Publix had already quietly pulled the products from shelves with an internal stop-sale in late June — weeks before the official recall, according to WDAM.
One Florida Family's Ordeal Leads to First Lawsuit
Oscar and Roberta Cash of Palm Beach County bought GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries at a Publix in Jupiter, Florida, in May 2026. Both ate the berries and got severely ill. Roberta, a grandmother of 11 and great-grandmother of seven, spent 10 days in Jupiter Medical Center, then 18 more days in a nursing facility for rehabilitation, according to WBBJTV.
On July 13, their attorney Ron Simon filed the first civil lawsuit against Publix in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Simon said "safety checks were missed in the production of the GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries" and noted that freezing does not kill this strain of bacteria. The lawsuit seeks more than $100,000 in damages, and more lawsuits are expected, according to KXII.
Check Your Freezer Now — Berries Last Until 2028
The biggest immediate risk is that consumers may still have contaminated bags sitting in their home freezers. The recalled products have best-by dates that stretch years into the future. Four specific UPC codes are affected: GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries in 10-ounce (UPC 41415-06453) and 48-ounce (UPC 41415-12053) sizes, and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries in 10-ounce (UPC 41415-06753) and 48-ounce (UPC 41415-12153) sizes, according to WTOK.
Do not eat these berries. Do not thaw them and try to cook with them. Take them back to any Publix for a full refund. E. coli O145:H28 can cause bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting. In vulnerable people — young children, older adults, and those with weak immune systems — it can lead to kidney failure, according to WSAW.
Imported Organic Berries Face New Scrutiny After Chile Link
The frozen blueberries came from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur, a supplier based in San Carlos, Chile. The company said it is "working closely with the appropriate regulatory authorities" to address the recall. Because the berries were imported, investigators must trace the contamination back through international supply chains — a process that adds significant complexity, according to KAIT8.
The outbreak is likely to trigger stricter FDA import inspections for frozen fruit from South America. It also puts pressure on Publix's premium GreenWise brand, which markets itself as a health-focused organic line. Consumers pay more for organic products expecting tighter safety standards. This recall directly challenges that expectation, according to WIS TV.
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