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News
Check your freezer — again. A Chilean supplier has expanded its recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's for the second time since July, citing possible contamination with E. coli O145, a Shiga toxin-producing strain. Consumers are urged to discard or return affected products immediately, as they may still be sitting in home freezers with best-by dates stretching into 2028.
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a Chilean supplier, has expanded its voluntary recall of frozen organic berries for the second time since it began in July. The latest expansion covers select Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, Great Value Organic Blueberries, and Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend products, all potentially contaminated with E. coli O145 — a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can damage the gut lining. The Great Value products reached Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico, while Trader Joe's berries were distributed to 26 states and Washington, D.C.
The recall traces back to an outbreak linked to GreenWise-brand organic blueberries sold at Publix, which the CDC declared over on Sept. 21. Still, the supplier continues issuing precautionary recalls based on supply chain traceback data.
Why it matters: E. coli O145 can cause severe illness, and vulnerable populations — young children, older adults, and the immunocompromised — are at risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening complication leading to kidney failure. Clinicians should be alert to patients presenting with bloody diarrhea and recent consumption of frozen berries.
