Publix GreenWise Frozen Berries Recalled Due to E. Coli Risk
- Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a Publix frozen berry recall to a Class I risk level after a multistate outbreak linked to the products sickened 12 people.
- Four of the 12 infected individuals required hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
- Publix pulled all affected inventory from store shelves immediately after receiving notice of the potential contamination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a Publix frozen berry recall to a Class I risk level after a multistate outbreak linked to the products sickened 12 people. Federal regulators note that a Class I designation indicates a reasonable probability that exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Federal Regulators Elevate Publix Berry Recall
Four of the 12 infected individuals required hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak. Federal health officials confirm the products are contaminated with a strain of Escherichia coli that produces Shiga toxin.
Contaminated GreenWise Inventory Pulled From Shelves
Publix pulled all affected inventory from store shelves immediately after receiving notice of the potential contamination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced the illnesses to specific GreenWise organic frozen berry products distributed by the supermarket chain.
The recall covers multiple sizes of organic whole blueberries and organic whole mixed berries sold under the GreenWise brand name. According to the recall notice, the affected items include the following specific products and Universal Product Codes:
10-ounce GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, UPC 41415-06453
48-ounce GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, UPC 41415-12053
10-ounce GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, UPC 41415-06753
48-ounce GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, UPC 41415-12153
Distribution Across Eight Southern States
The contaminated berries were distributed to Publix retail locations across eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Regulators advise consumers who purchased these items not to eat them. Shoppers can either throw the berries away or return them to any Publix location for a full refund. To prevent cross-contamination, health authorities recommend washing any kitchen surfaces or utensils that touched the frozen fruit with hot, soapy water.
Recognizing Shiga Toxin Symptoms
Infections from Shiga toxin–producing E. coli typically manifest three to four days after consumption of tainted food. Patients generally experience severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that is frequently bloody. While most people recover within five to seven days with proper hydration, certain populations face elevated risks.
Public health data shows that young children under the age of 5, adults older than 65, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable. In these groups, the infection can trigger hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe and potentially fatal kidney complication.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Medical professionals advise seeking immediate care if symptoms include diarrhea accompanied by a fever exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea lasting more than three days without improvement, bloody stools, or severe vomiting that prevents fluid retention.
Warning signs of dehydration, such as dizziness upon standing, a dry mouth and throat, or a significant decrease in urination, also warrant prompt medical evaluation.