Check your freezer if you bought GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries from Publix. CDC and FDA are investigating an E. coli O145:H28 outbreak linked to recalled frozen blueberries, with 12 reported illnesses, four hospitalizations and no deaths listed in the federal updates current as of July 6, 2026.

The recall covers 10-ounce bags of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028. FDA says the product was shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and that distribution could be updated if investigators find more affected products.

The practical advice is simple: do not eat the recalled blueberries. CDC says to throw them away or return them to the store, and FDA says to discard the product if it was frozen without packaging and you cannot tell whether it is part of the recall. If you shop for multiple households, check shared freezers, smoothie containers and recent grocery receipts too.

Do this first

  • Look for a 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries bag.
  • Check for lot code 60401.
  • Check for a February 9, 2028 best-by date.
  • If the bag matches, do not taste the berries to check them.
  • Clean anything that may have touched the berries, including freezer bins, bowls, counters and utensils.

Why officials are warning shoppers

FDA says the Florida Department of Health notified CDC partners on July 1, 2026, about a cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses. Interviews with sick people identified frozen GreenWise organic blueberries sold at Publix as the leading food item of interest. Publix then conducted an internal stop sale, and Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. initiated the recall on July 3.

Federal investigators have reported cases in Florida and Georgia. FDA says seven of nine interviewed patients reported eating frozen blueberries, and five specifically identified GreenWise organic frozen blueberries purchased from Publix. The agency also says FDA and state partners are still working to determine the source of contamination.

Symptoms to watch

CDC says Shiga toxin-producing E. coli often causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody and vomiting. Symptoms usually start three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, though FDA notes symptoms can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or up to nine days later.

Call a health care provider if you ate the recalled product and develop severe symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than three days, a fever over 102 F, repeated vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing or not urinating much.

What happens next

The investigation remains open. FDA says additional products may be added to the advisory as more information becomes available, so shoppers who may have bought frozen blueberries from Publix should keep the package details or refund information handy and check the CDC and FDA pages for updates.

Sources: CDC food safety alert, FDA outbreak investigation, FDA recall announcement and Publix recall notice.