Publix Recalls Frozen Blueberries Tied to 12 E. coli Cases

Publix is recalling one lot of frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries after 12 confirmed E. coli O145:H28 illnesses were linked to the 10-oz bags sold in eight states. The supplier, Chile-based Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., initiated the voluntary recall on July 3, 2026. The announcement covers product shipped to Publix retail stores from Alabama to Virginia.

The recalled bags carry lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028, and no other lot codes or dates are affected. Publix is asking customers to check their freezers and return or discard any GreenWise frozen blueberries bought on or before July 3, 2026. Consumers who have eaten the product and develop severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting are urged to contact a health care provider.

What Publix Pulled and Why

Publix pulled one lot of 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries after the supplier traced the bag to 12 confirmed E. coli O145:H28 cases reported between May 11 and June 5, 2026. The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores in eight states. On July 3, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., based in San Carlos, Chile, initiated the voluntary recall. The FDA posted the announcement on July 6, 2026.

• 12 confirmed E. coli O145:H28 cases reported May 11 to June 5, 2026
• 8 states received the recalled lot
• Lot code 60401, best by Feb. 9, 2028

Publix did not start the recall itself. The Chilean supplier acted after receiving reports that consumers who had eaten GreenWise frozen blueberries had developed digestive illnesses. The supplier then worked with regulators and retail partners to issue the recall notice.

The recalled bags carry lot code 60401 with a best-by date of February 9, 2028. No other lot codes, best-by dates, or other Publix private-label products are included in the recall. The product is sold only at Publix retail stores, not at other grocery chains. Each bag is a 10-oz package of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, the chain’s house brand for organic products. Customers who bought the product before July 3, 2026 are being told to check the lot code printed on the bag.

The Chilean Supplier Behind the GreenWise Bag

The name at the top of the recall notice belongs to Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a producer based in San Carlos, Chile. The company voluntarily initiated the recall on July 3, 2026. The FDA posted the announcement three days later.

GreenWise is Publix’s house brand for organic products, and the Chilean supplier packaged and shipped the frozen blueberries under that label. That setup means a single foreign packer carries direct responsibility for the safety of a U.S. grocery chain’s private-label product.

In its recall notice, the supplier said it is working closely with regulators and has begun a thorough investigation into the source of the presumptive finding. The company said additional information will be provided as it becomes available. Food safety, the supplier wrote, remains a top priority. Beyond the recall itself, the supplier spelled out specific containment steps for buyers who had already received the lot.

The company has instructed all customers receiving the affected lot to immediately isolate the product, discontinue its distribution, and notify any downstream customers who may have received the affected lot.

That instruction appeared in the FDA recall notice from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., the San Carlos, Chile-based supplier. Consumers with questions can reach the supplier at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Media inquiries go to Joshua Weiss at joshua.weiss@comfrut.com.

Eight States, One Lot Code

The recalled lot was shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. All eight states are part of Publix’s standard operating footprint across the Southeast. The product did not go to Walmart, Target, Aldi, or any other grocery chain. The recall is tied entirely to Publix’s private-label GreenWise brand.

The recall is narrowly scoped to one product, one size, one lot, and one date. Only 10-oz bags of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries are affected. The lot code on each bag reads 60401. The best-by date stamped on each bag is February 9, 2028. No other Publix items, including other GreenWise products, are part of the recall, and the way single-source E. coli contamination can move through a national supply chain is laid out in a previous E. coli outbreak tied to a national fast-food chain.

Why E. coli O145:H28 Earns Its Strain Name

The strain linked to the recall is E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. O145 is one of the so-called non-O157 STEC strains, a group that includes several serogroups beyond the more familiar O157:H7.

STEC infections typically cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting. Symptoms can develop anywhere from one to ten days after exposure to the bacteria. Most healthy people recover within about a week. The combination of stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea is the symptom pattern that most often sends patients to seek medical care.

A fraction of STEC cases develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and death. Young children, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of HUS, according to the CDC’s overview of E. coli infection. The same vulnerable groups are most likely to be hospitalized when symptoms appear.

A Month Between First Illnesses and the Recall

The 12 confirmed E. coli cases were reported between May 11, 2026 and June 5, 2026. The supplier did not initiate the recall until July 3, 2026, nearly a month after the first cases were logged. The FDA posted the recall announcement on July 6, 2026, three days after the supplier acted. That gap means Publix customers in eight states may have bought and eaten the recalled blueberries weeks before any public notice appeared. It also explains why the customer guidance is anchored to a purchase date of July 3, 2026 or earlier rather than to a specific symptom-onset window.

The recall was triggered by the supplier’s investigation after it received consumer illness reports. Publix’s customer-facing guidance follows the supplier’s instruction: return or discard any GreenWise frozen blueberries bought on or before the recall date. The chain is not running a separate voluntary recall of its own.

What to Do If the Bag Is in Your Freezer

The fastest check is the bag itself. Consumers should look for lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028 on any 10-oz bag of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries.

1. Stop using the product. Do not eat the recalled blueberries raw or cooked.
2. Return the bag to the place of purchase for a full refund, or discard it.
3. Empty the freezer drawer and wipe down any surface the bag touched, then wash hands with soap and warm water.
4. Call a health care provider if anyone in the household has eaten the product and develops severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting.

The recall notice instructs consumers who have the affected lot to discard it or return it for a full refund. The supplier is also asking customers who received the lot through commercial channels to isolate the product and halt further distribution. Anyone with questions about whether a specific bag is covered can contact the supplier directly at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612 during business hours. Publix customers can also return the bag to any Publix store for a refund, regardless of the original purchase location. The full scope and contact information are laid out in the FDA’s full recall details.

Anyone who has eaten the recalled blueberries should watch for symptoms over the next one to ten days. Severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting are the signs that warrant a call to a doctor. Mention the E. coli O145:H28 exposure so the provider can order the right lab tests.

Children under five, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for HUS, the kidney complication tied to STEC infections. HUS can develop after initial gastrointestinal symptoms appear to improve, which is what makes early medical attention important. The illness can lead to hospitalization, dialysis, and in the worst cases, death. Most healthy adults recover without lasting effects, but anyone in the higher-risk groups should not wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Publix products are affected by the recall?

Only one product is covered: 10-oz bags of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries carrying lot code 60401 with a best-by date of February 9, 2028. No other Publix items, GreenWise products, or other lot codes are part of the recall.

What are the symptoms of E. coli O145:H28?

The strain causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting, with symptoms developing one to ten days after exposure. A small share of cases progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney complication most common in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

How many states received the recalled blueberries?

Eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The product was shipped only to Publix retail stores and did not go to other grocery chains.

When did Publix learn about the E. coli cases?

The 12 confirmed cases were reported between May 11, 2026 and June 5, 2026. The supplier initiated the recall on July 3, 2026, and the FDA posted the announcement on July 6, 2026.

Who can consumers contact with questions?

Consumers can email Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or call 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Media inquiries go to Joshua Weiss at joshua.weiss@comfrut.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Anyone who has consumed the recalled product and developed symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a qualified health care provider. Recall details and contact information are accurate as of publication on July 7, 2026.