ORLANDO, Fla. – The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix stores in Florida and seven other states to its highest health risk level, according to CBS News.
The recalled products may be contaminated with E. coli, a bacteria that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. In serious cases, infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that may cause kidney failure.
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Publix announced the recall July 29 for four GreenWise organic frozen fruit products. The items were sold at Publix stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The recalled products include:
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce packages
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce packages
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce packages
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce packages
Consumers should check their freezers for the affected products. All recalled items have expiration dates before Feb. 9, 2028, and can be identified by their UPC codes:
- Blueberries, 10 ounces: 41415-06453
- Blueberries, 48 ounces: 41415-12053
- Mixed berries, 10 ounces: 41415-06753
- Mixed berries, 48 ounces: 41415-12153
The FDA’s Class 1 designation means there is a reasonable probability that consuming or being exposed to the recalled products could cause serious health consequences or death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 people in two states have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli. No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
Anyone with a recalled product should not eat it. The FDA advises consumers to throw it away or return it to Publix for a full refund. People who develop severe diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps after eating the product should contact a health care provider.