Frozen blueberries linked to E. coli outbreak prompt multistate recall. The CDC and FDA are investigating an E. coli O145 outbreak tied to GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries sold at Publix, with 12 people sickened — 4 hospitalized — across Florida and Georgia. Shoppers in 8 states are urged to check their freezers and discard the recalled product.
The CDC and FDA are jointly investigating a multistate E. coli O145 outbreak linked to frozen GreenWise Organic blueberries sold at Publix stores. As of July 6, 12 people have fallen ill — 11 in Florida and 1 in Georgia — with 4 requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. The recalled product, sourced from Chile, comes in a 10-ounce bag (lot code 60401, best by Feb. 9, 2028) and was distributed to Publix locations across 8 states, though illnesses have only been confirmed in two so far.
Investigators linked the blueberries to the outbreak after finding that 78% of interviewed patients reported eating frozen blueberries — far above the 24% national baseline. DNA fingerprinting confirmed the bacteria from patients were genetically closely related, pointing to a common source.
Why it matters: E. coli infections can escalate to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney complication — making early identification and product removal critical. The CDC notes the true case count is likely higher, as many people recover without being tested.
