A Frozen Berry Recall Has Expanded to Walmart Stores in 16 States
Check your freezers.
M. Suhail
It’s the tail end of berry season right now. But for those who eat their berries frozen, rather than (or in addition to) fresh, the week brings some berry unfortunate news: A recall of frozen blueberries, initially announced in late July, has now expanded to include a berry blend sold at Walmart stores across 16 states.
The recall issued by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. now includes Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries), sold in a 10-ounce package.
Which frozen blueberry product was originally recalled?
On July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., an agricultural and food processing company based in San Carlos, Chile, announced it was recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, sold in 10-ounce packages marked with the lot code 60401 and Best By Date of February 9, 2028.
The recalled frozen blueberries were sold at Publix stores in eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Which additional frozen berry product has now been recalled?
On September 2, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., expanded its July 3 recall of frozen organic IQF blueberries to include one lot of Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend. The berry blend, which includes strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, came in 10-ounce packages with the lot code 6040 01-6 on the front and a Best by Date of February 9, 2028.
The recalled product was sold in Walmart stores in 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
Why were these frozen berry products recalled?
The products have been recalled because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145).
"E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause illness characterized by severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody) and vomiting," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns in its announcement of the recall expansion. "While most healthy individuals recover within a week, some infections may result in a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems."
What should you do in response to this recall expansion?
For starters, check your freezer. If you find yourself in possession of a 10-ounce bag of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend with the lot code 6040 01-6 printed on the front, do not eat the contents. Instead, throw away the bag or return it to Walmart to receive a full refund.
Has anyone gotten sick in connection to this expanded recall?
Although 12 cases of stomach illness linked with E. coli O145:H28 infections were confirmed in connection with the frozen GreenWise blueberry products recalled in July, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend expansion at this time.
The recall expansion is being taken “as a precautionary measure following traceback information of the previous recall,” according to FDA.
What if you want more information about either the original or expanded recall?
If you have questions, you may direct them to info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
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