Clearwater, FL — FDA Issues Class I Recall for Publix GreenWise Frozen Berries

Clearwater, FL (August 20th, 2026) – The FDA has classified a recall of certain Publix GreenWise frozen berries as Class I, its most serious recall classification. The products may be contaminated with E. coli O145. This strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause severe illness and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.

The recall involves certain GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix stores. Because frozen foods can remain in home freezers long after they disappear from store shelves, consumers should check any GreenWise frozen berries they still have and follow the recall instructions.

If you or a loved one became seriously ill after eating recalled frozen berries or another contaminated food product, a defective product lawyer can help you understand your legal options. Contact Light & Wyatt Law Group at 727-499-9900 to discuss your situation.

Key Takeaways

• The FDA has given the Publix GreenWise frozen berry recall a Class I classification, the agency’s most serious recall category.
• The affected berries may be contaminated with E. coli O145, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause severe illness.
• Consumers should check their freezers because recalled frozen products may remain in homes for months.
• People who become sick after eating a recalled product should seek appropriate medical care and preserve information about the product and purchase.
• A serious foodborne illness may give an injured consumer grounds to speak with a defective product lawyer about compensation.

Which Publix GreenWise Frozen Berries Are Affected?

The recall involves GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries distributed through Publix stores in several states, including Florida.

The affected 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

The recall initially involved a more limited group of frozen blueberries before it was expanded. That expansion makes it particularly important for Publix customers to check products they may have purchased earlier and stored in their freezers.

Consumers should not assume a product is safe simply because they purchased it before hearing about the expanded recall.

Why Is a Class I FDA Recall So Serious?

Not every product recall carries the same level of risk. The FDA uses classifications to indicate how serious the potential health consequences may be.

Class I is the highest-risk category. It is used when there is a reasonable probability that exposure to a recalled product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

That designation does not mean everyone who ate the recalled berries will become sick. It does mean the potential consequences are serious enough that consumers should follow the recall instructions rather than continuing to use the product.

With contaminated food, there may also be no obvious warning. Berries carrying harmful bacteria can look and smell normal, leaving consumers with no reliable way to identify contamination at home.

What Are the Risks of E. Coli O145?

E. coli O145 is a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, often abbreviated as STEC.

An infection can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may become bloody, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Although many people recover, some infections can lead to much more serious complications.

One of the most concerning is hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. This condition can damage the kidneys and may require hospitalization.

Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems can face an increased risk of serious complications, although severe illness can affect otherwise healthy people as well.

Someone experiencing significant symptoms after a possible exposure to recalled food should seek appropriate medical care and tell their healthcare provider what they ate.

Can Food Contaminated With E. Coli Lead to a Product Liability Claim?

A recall does not automatically mean every person who purchased the product has a legal claim. Generally, a consumer must have suffered an actual injury or illness and be able to establish a connection between that harm and the contaminated product.

When contaminated food causes a serious infection, however, product liability law may provide a path to compensation.

A defective product lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the illness, determine which businesses may bear responsibility, and evaluate the evidence connecting the contaminated product to the person’s injuries.

Depending on the circumstances, a claim could involve medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, future treatment needs, and other losses caused by the illness.

Talk to Light & Wyatt Law Group After a Serious Recalled Food Illness

The FDA’s Class I classification sends an important message to consumers: the potential risk associated with these recalled Publix GreenWise frozen berries should be taken seriously.

For someone who has already suffered an E. coli infection, however, the questions may go beyond whether to throw away a bag of berries. A serious illness can mean emergency treatment, hospitalization, missed work, and concerns about lasting complications.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious illness after eating recalled GreenWise berries or another contaminated food product, Light & Wyatt Law Group can help you understand your rights and determine whether you may have a product liability claim. Contact us today at 727-499-9900 today to discuss your potential case.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Publix GreenWise Frozen Berry Recall

I ate the recalled berries but never became sick. Can I file a claim?

Purchasing or eating a recalled product generally is not enough by itself to support a personal injury claim. A legal claim typically requires an actual injury or illness and resulting damages.

I threw away the berry package before I heard about the recall. Does that ruin my case?

Not necessarily. Grocery receipts, Publix purchase histories, credit or debit card records, photographs, and other information may help establish what you purchased even if the original packaging is gone.

My child became sick after eating the recalled berries. Can I pursue a claim for them?

A parent or legal guardian may be able to pursue a claim on behalf of a minor child who was injured by contaminated food. Cases involving children can involve additional legal requirements, particularly when resolving a claim.

What if several people in my family became sick after eating the same berries?

Multiple illnesses after eating from the same product may be important evidence, but each person’s injuries and damages should be evaluated individually. Keep medical and expense records for each affected family member.

Do I need to know exactly where the berries became contaminated before contacting a lawyer?

No. Determining how and where contamination occurred can be part of the investigation. A lawyer can examine recall information, supply chain evidence, public health findings, and other records to determine which parties may be responsible.

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