Clearwater, FL — Frozen Blueberry E. coli Outbreak: 6 Hospitalized as Recall Expands

Clearwater, FL (September 8th, 2026) – A frozen blueberry E. coli outbreak first identified through illnesses in Florida has expanded again. Federal officials now report 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations, while the recall has grown from GreenWise blueberries sold at Publix to include a lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart. The FDA’s investigation also raised concerns about the Chilean supplier’s hazard controls and resulted in an import alert affecting its frozen blueberries.

For Florida consumers, the latest development shows how a foodborne illness investigation can grow well beyond the product first suspected. If you suffered a serious illness after eating recalled frozen berries, Light & Wyatt Law Group in Clearwater can help you understand your legal options. Call 727-499-9900.

Key Takeaways

• The outbreak has grown from 12 reported illnesses and four hospitalizations in July to 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations as of September 3.
• Florida health officials helped identify the original cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses.
• Eleven of 13 people interviewed in the current investigation reported eating frozen blueberries.
• The recall now includes certain products sold under both the GreenWise and Great Value brands.
• FDA concerns went beyond a single package of berries and resulted in an import alert affecting frozen blueberries from the Chilean supplier.

How Did Investigators Connect E. coli Illnesses to Frozen Blueberries?

This story did not start with a routine test of a bag of blueberries. It started with sick people in Florida.

On July 1, the Florida Department of Health notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about a cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses. Investigators began interviewing people about what they had eaten before they became sick, and frozen blueberries quickly stood out.

In the initial investigation, seven of nine people interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries. Five specifically identified GreenWise organic frozen blueberries purchased from Publix. Those findings led Publix to conduct an internal stop sale, and Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, recalled a single lot of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries on July 3.

The investigation did not end with that first recall. As we previously reported when the FDA classified the Publix GreenWise frozen berry recall, the action eventually expanded to all lots of several GreenWise frozen blueberry and mixed berry products.

Now, the investigation has moved beyond Publix altogether.

Why Are Walmart’s Great Value Berries Now Part of the Recall?

The September update expands that story again.

On September 2, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. added one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend to the recall. The 10-ounce Walmart product carries lot code 6040 01-6 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028. It was shipped to Walmart stores in 16 states, including Florida.

For consumers, the GreenWise and Great Value products may appear unrelated. One carries a Publix brand; the other carries Walmart’s. Yet the FDA investigation connects both recalls to the same Chilean supplier.

That distinction matters because the company whose name appears on the front of a package is not necessarily the company that produced or supplied the food inside it. Similar supply-chain questions can become important in defective product claims, where identifying the companies involved in manufacturing and distribution may be part of determining responsibility for an injury.

The Outbreak Has Continued to Grow

The widening recall has occurred alongside an increase in reported illnesses.

When federal officials reported on the outbreak in early July, they knew of 12 illnesses and four hospitalizations. As of the FDA’s September 3 update, investigators have identified 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations in Florida and Georgia.

Among the 13 people investigators have interviewed, 85% reported eating frozen blueberries. No deaths have been reported.

The FDA says the investigation remains ongoing, which is an important distinction. A recall announcement captures what regulators know at a particular point in an investigation; it does not necessarily mark the end of that investigation or the final list of products that could become relevant.

That has happened in other recent foodborne illness investigations. For example, the jalapeño Salmonella outbreak eventually involved numerous prepared foods after investigators traced contaminated peppers through a broader food supply chain.

What Makes E. coli O145 Dangerous?

The strain involved in the frozen blueberry outbreak is E. coli O145, a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Many types of E. coli live harmlessly in the intestines of people and animals, but certain pathogenic strains can cause serious illness. Symptoms of an infection may include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Some infections can become much more serious. The FDA warns that certain E. coli infections can cause bloody diarrhea and potentially lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a form of kidney failure. Other possible complications include chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and neurological problems.

That potential for serious complications puts the six reported hospitalizations into perspective. This investigation concerns food connected to actual illnesses, not simply a packaging problem or technical violation.

For consumers who require hospital care or continued treatment, the consequences can also extend beyond the immediate illness. Medical expenses and time away from work are among the losses that can become relevant in a Florida personal injury claim when another party may bear legal responsibility for an injury.

What Does This Investigation Tell Us About Food Recalls?

Recall announcements can make a food safety problem look deceptively simple: identify a package, check the lot number, and remove it from the freezer.

The investigation behind the notice can look very different.

Here, Florida health officials first identified a cluster of E. coli illnesses. Interviews with patients pointed investigators toward frozen blueberries. The inquiry led to one GreenWise lot, then additional GreenWise products, a closer examination of the Chilean supplier, and an FDA import alert. Two months after the initial recall, a Great Value product sold through an entirely different retailer joined the recall.

That progression is important because it shows how investigators work backward from illnesses to products and then through the supply chain. It also explains why the scope of a recall can change as regulators obtain additional records, epidemiological evidence, and product information.

At Light & Wyatt Law Group, we have seen the same underlying issue arise across very different types of consumer products: the first public recall announcement does not always tell the entire story. Whether the issue involves contaminated food or another dangerous product that reaches consumers, later investigation can provide information about how the problem occurred and which companies were involved.

Light & Wyatt Helps Florida Families After Dangerous Product Injuries

The frozen blueberry investigation began with a cluster of illnesses identified here in Florida. Months later, it now encompasses two major retail brands, an overseas supplier, 17 reported illnesses, six hospitalizations, and an FDA investigation that remains open.

For consumers who suffered serious illness, the recall notice may only be the beginning of the questions that need answers.

If you or a family member became seriously ill after eating recalled frozen berries or another contaminated food product, contact our team at Light & Wyatt Law Group in Clearwater at 727-499-9900 to discuss your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Frozen Blueberry E. coli Outbreak

Can doctors test whether my E. coli infection is connected to this outbreak?

Public health officials can use laboratory testing and genetic analysis to help determine whether illnesses are connected to an outbreak. Whether testing from an individual patient is available or can be linked to this outbreak depends on the circumstances. Talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate testing and diagnosis.

Could additional products still be added to the blueberry recall?

Yes, that remains possible. As of September 3, the FDA describes the investigation as ongoing and says its advisory will be updated as additional information becomes available. Consumers should rely on current FDA notices rather than assume the existing recall list is necessarily final.

Does the FDA import alert mean all imported frozen blueberries are unsafe?

No. The FDA information does not support that conclusion. The import action discussed in this investigation concerns frozen blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. The alert should not be interpreted as a warning against all imported blueberries.

Why can the number of illnesses increase weeks after a recall?

Foodborne illness investigations develop as health officials identify cases, interview patients, review food histories, and analyze laboratory and traceback information. As that work continues, investigators may identify additional illnesses that belong to the same outbreak.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association