Recalled GreenWise Frozen Blueberries Linked to E. coli: What to Do

FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 illnesses linked to recalled GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and whole mixed berries sold at Publix.

Key action: If you have any of the recalled frozen berries, do not eat them. Check your freezer for the product identifiers below, then discard or return the items for a refund.

Most people recover, but some E. coli infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)—a serious complication that can be a medical emergency. If you (or a child in your care) develop signs of HUS, seek emergency care right away.

Which GreenWise frozen berries were recalled?

FDA’s outbreak/recall page lists these recalled products (updated July 30, 2026):

GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce: UPC 41415-06453
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce: UPC 41415-12053
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce: UPC 41415-06753
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce: UPC 41415-12153

FDA also notes an earlier recall of a single 10-ounce lot with:

Lot code: 60401 (printed on package as 6 040 01)
Best by date: February 9, 2028

Where it was sold: FDA reports the product was shipped to Publix retail stores in 8 states (including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia). The FDA page also notes distribution confirmation for the states shown and that product could have reached additional locations.

What symptoms to watch for after eating recalled berries

Symptoms of E. coli infection can begin anywhere from a few days after eating up to as late as nine days later.

CDC notes that symptoms usually start about 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria, and most people recover without specific treatment after 5 to 7 days.

Reported symptoms can include:

Severe stomach cramps
Diarrhea (often bloody in shiga toxin–producing E. coli infections)
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting

HUS warning signs: when to go to the ER

Some shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) infections can cause HUS, which is urgent and requires hospitalization. CDC says HUS is a medical emergency—call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately if you notice warning signs.

Signs that someone with diarrhea may be developing HUS include:

Urinating (peeing) less often or not at all
Losing pink color in the cheeks and/or inside the lower eyelids
Unexplained bruising or tiny red spots on the skin
Blood in the urine
Feeling very tired or irritable (cranky)
Decreased awareness (less alert than usual)

CDC notes that anyone can develop HUS, but among people with diarrhea it is most common in children younger than 5 years.

What to do at home (practical steps)

Do not eat the recalled GreenWise frozen berries.
Check your freezer for the UPCs and (if relevant) the lot code 60401 and best-by date February 9, 2028.
Discard or return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you froze berries without the original packaging and can’t confirm whether they’re part of the recall, FDA says to throw them away.
Clean and sanitize items and containers that may have touched the recalled berries to reduce cross-contamination.
If you ate recalled berries and develop severe E. coli–type symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Get emergency care immediately if HUS warning signs appear.

How E. coli diarrhea is typically managed (and what to avoid)

For most people, treatment is focused on preventing dehydration:

Drink extra fluids to help prevent dehydration.
CDC advises to talk to a healthcare provider before using anti-diarrheal medications (such as loperamide/Imodium).
CDC also advises not to use anti-diarrheal medication in people with high fever or bloody diarrhea, and not with STEC infection (anti-diarrheal use can increase the chance of HUS).
Antibiotics are usually not the default for E. coli infections; CDC advises not to use antibiotics for STEC because they can increase the chance of HUS.

Clinician-adjacent note: testing and medication cautions

For clinicians and clinician-adjacent readers: IDSA guideline recommendations include performing stool testing for STEC (including detection of Shiga toxin or genomic assays for non-O157 STEC) in patients with diarrhea with features such as fever, bloody or mucoid stools, severe abdominal cramping/tenderness, or signs of sepsis.

IDSA also recommends that antimotility drugs (e.g., loperamide) should not be given to children under 18 with acute diarrhea, and highlights the concern that antimotility/antidiarrheal approaches can worsen outcomes in certain enteric infections.

What’s known so far (and what’s still being investigated)

Known: FDA and CDC report a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 linked to recalled GreenWise frozen whole blueberries and whole mixed berries sold at Publix.
Known (as of FDA’s July 30, 2026 update): FDA lists 12 total illnesses, 4 hospitalizations, and 0 deaths, with the last illness onset reported as June 5, 2026.
Known: If you develop E. coli–type symptoms after eating recalled berries, contact a healthcare provider. HUS is a medical emergency.
Still being investigated: The source of contamination and whether additional products are involved.

Sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.