Blueberry recall over deadly E. coli fears hits FDA’s highest-risk level — with 12 sickened, 4 hospitalized

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Key points

• The original July 3 recall involved a single 10-ounce lot with the printed lot code 60401 – additionally displayed as 6 040 01 – and a best-by date of Feb.
• The recalled berries were sold at Publix stores throughout eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
• The 12 illnesses were documented in Florida and Georgia between May 11 and June 5, according to the FDA.
• But the subsequent Publix recall covers all lots of the GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries listed above.
• Three weeks afterwards, the recall secured a whole lot bigger – Publix pulled all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries from the shelves.

That bag of frozen blueberries in your freezer could be more than just a smoothie staple.

In practice, a recall of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries has been slapped with the FDA's highest-risk classification against the backdrop of an investigation into a potentially dangerous E. Coli outbreak that has sickened 12 residents and hospitalized four.

Meanwhile, the FDA has classified the recall as Class I, its most serious designation, meaning there is a "reasonable probability" that consuming or being exposed to the recalled product could cause serious health consequences or death.

Thankfully, no deaths have been documented, but the FDA's investigation is still underway.

Notably, the 12 illnesses were documented in Florida and Georgia between May 11 and June 5, according to the FDA.

In practice, the recalled berries were sold at Publix stores throughout eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

It began with a single lot. On July 3, Chile-based Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Recalled frozen GreenWise organic blueberries after testing flagged a presumptive positive for E. Coli.

Notably, the FDA remarked Publix had additionally conducted an internal stop-sale of the products at the end of June.

Meanwhile, the original July 3 recall involved a single 10-ounce lot with the printed lot code 60401 – additionally displayed as 6 040 01 – and a best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028.

Meanwhile, the products may be contaminated with E. Coli O145: H28, a strain that can produce Shiga toxins capable of causing serious illness.

Most E. Coli infections resolve on their own, but certain infections can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS – a potentially life-threatening form of kidney failure.

Young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.

According to the FDA, seven of nine individuals interviewed during the investigation stated they had eaten frozen blueberries before becoming sick. Five specifically documented eating GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries purchased from Publix.

Notably, the agency has not published further details regarding the residents who became ill.

Symptoms can kick in anywhere from a number of days after eating contaminated food to as numerous as nine days afterwards, according to the FDA. They can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Some infections can cause bloody diarrhea and progress to serious complications, including HUS.

Warning signs of HUS can include straightforward bruising, declined urination and a pale appearance.

In severe cases, kidney failure can occur and may require a transplant.

For context, the FDA has a simple message for consumers: don't eat the aforementioned recalled blueberries.

"Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, " the agency cautioned.

Consumers should check their freezers and either throw out the recalled berries or return them to where they were purchased.

And if you transferred the berries to another container and no longer have the original packaging, the FDA notes to toss them if you can't determine whether they're part of the recall.

Better to lose a bag of berries than gamble with a bacterial infection.

Any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the recalled products should additionally be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to assist prevent cross-contamination.

Anyone who ate the recalled berries and develops symptoms consistent with an E. Coli infection should contact a health care provider immediately.

As for how the contamination happened in the first place, that remains a mystery.

"FDA and state partners are actively working to determine the source of contamination, " the agency remarked.

In short, blueberry recall over deadly E. Coli fears hits FDA's highest-risk level – is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.