Publix GreenWise frozen berries recalled due to E. coli outbreak

E. coli outbreak frozen blueberry recall GreenWise organic berries Publix recall Class I recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall of GreenWise organic frozen berries to Class I, its highest risk level, due to a potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination. The recall involves approximately 182,000 packages of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, available in 10-ounce and 48-ounce sizes.

An outbreak linked to the product has sickened 12 people across Florida and Georgia, with four individuals requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. The illnesses were reported to have occurred between May 11 and June 5.

The affected products were distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The recall was initially triggered by a single lot from Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S. A., but Publix expanded the action to cover all lots of the specified blueberry and mixed berry products as a precaution.

Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled items and should either discard them or return them to Publix for a full refund. The FDA warns that exposure to the contaminated product carries a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death.