The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a recall of frozen organic berries sold at Publix stores across eight Southeastern states to Class I, its highest warning level, following potential deadly bacterial contamination.
A Class I classification represents a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, according to federal health officials.
As of July 30, the agency has reported 12 illnesses linked to the berries across Florida and Georgia, including four hospitalizations. No deaths have been recorded.
The federal investigation indicates that illnesses began between May 11 and June 5. At the end of June 2026, supermarket chain Publix conducted an internal stop sale of the berries before expanding its recall across all retail locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The action follows an initial recall issued last month by Chile-based supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA for its GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries, after routine testing returned a presumptive positive result for Escherichia coli bacteria.
Affected product details and packaging
Publix pulled all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries from store shelves. The recalled blueberries were sold in 10-ounce and 48-ounce bags bearing Universal Product Codes 41415-06453 and 41415-12053, respectively.
The GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries were also distributed in 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages, under UPC numbers 41415-06753 and 41415-12153.
According to the FDA, seven out of nine sickened individuals interviewed by investigators reported eating frozen blueberries prior to falling ill. Five of those patients specifically identified GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries purchased from Publix. Health officials have not released further details regarding the patients.
Health risks and E. coli symptoms
Publix stated that the products were recalled due to potential contamination with E. coli O145. This specific strain produces dangerous Shiga toxins that attack the human gut lining, causing severe abdominal cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
Symptoms generally develop between two and eight days after consuming contaminated food. While most healthy individuals recover without medical intervention within a week, vulnerable groups face heightened risks.
Children under five, older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening kidney condition. Symptoms of the complication include easy bruising, pale skin tone and decreased urine output, which can progress to acute kidney failure or necessitate a kidney transplant.
Bacterial persistence and source investigation
E. coli infections are typically associated with undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products and raw agricultural produce such as apples, cucumbers and sprouts. Between 75,000 and 90,000 Americans are exposed to the bacteria annually, resulting in roughly 100 deaths each year. Official case counts remain underreported as many affected individuals recover without seeking laboratory testing.
While the precise contamination route for the recalled berries has not been established, agricultural produce can become contaminated when exposed to irrigation or treatment water containing animal feces.
The bacteria cease growth at temperatures below 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (7.5 degrees Celsius) but can survive sub-zero freezing and withstand conditions below minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 80 degrees Celsius). Once thawed in a warm environment, the organisms reactivate and begin reproducing, creating an infection hazard.
"FDA and state partners are actively working to determine the source of contamination," the agency stated as the investigation continues.
