The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning advising consumers to immediately discard or return the 10-ounce Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, a frozen berry mix, following its recall due to potential E. coli contamination across 16 states.
This product was distributed to Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
The affected package includes strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, identified by UPC code 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6, and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., the Chile-based supplier, announced the recall "as a precautionary measure following trace information from a previous recall," noting that, as of the announcement, no illnesses had been directly linked to this specific product.
Nevertheless, an outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 tied to organic frozen blueberries from the same company has already resulted in 17 infections in Florida and Georgia, with six hospitalizations but no fatalities reported. The cases emerged between May 11 and August 2.
The FDA emphasized the importance of their warning: "If you have frozen a product without its original packaging and cannot confirm whether it's part of the recall, dispose of it."
Consumers in possession of the product are eligible for a full refund at any Walmart location, with no receipt required.
This Walmart recall marks the fourth escalation of an outbreak initially identified in July. On July 3, the first alert regarding E. coli-tainted frozen blueberries affected only a batch of GreenWise blueberries sold at Publix stores in the Southeast.
On July 29, Publix broadened the recall to include four versions of its GreenWise line, and on August 18, the FDA upgraded the classification to Class I, its highest risk level, upon determining a reasonable probability of severe health consequences or death from consumption. Consequently, Publix formally extended the recall to all available batches across eight states.
The E. coli O145:H28 strain is a member of the Shiga toxin-producing bacteria group (STEC), recognized as the most dangerous among pathogenic E. coli. It can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, with serious cases leading to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication involving acute kidney failure.
Symptoms generally appear three to four days post-exposure, with young children and the elderly being the most at risk.
Authorities caution that, given the product's expiration date of February 2028, the bags could remain in household freezers for months, unbeknownst to their owners of the potential danger.
For inquiries regarding the recall, consumers can reach out via email at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or call 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time.
Understanding E. coli Contamination in Frozen Berries
What actions should consumers take if they purchased the recalled berry blend?
Consumers should immediately discard or return the product to any Walmart store for a full refund, even without a receipt.
How can E. coli contamination affect health?
E. coli contamination can lead to severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. In serious cases, it may cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that results in acute kidney failure.
Who are the most vulnerable groups to E. coli infections?
Young children and older adults are the most susceptible to severe outcomes from E. coli infections.