Publix frozen blueberry recall upgraded to highest health risk level
Recalled frozen blueberries and mixed berries that could be contaminated with E. coli pose the most severe category of health risk, according to the FDA.
On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix grocery stores across the United States to the highest health risk level, according to an enforcement report. The recall, which began on July 29, was prompted by potential E. coli contamination in four varieties of GreenWise organic blueberries and mixed berries sold in eight states.
This is considered a Class 1 recall by the FDA, which is assigned to products that can cause serious adverse health consequences or death if used or consumed. The FDA's classification is based on reports of twelve individuals infected with the E. coli strain associated with the outbreak, all of whom are from two states. No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
The affected products, which were distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, have expiration dates prior to February 9, 2028. These products include GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Mixed Berries, available in both 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages.
Consumers should either discard or return the recalled products to Publix for a full refund. E. coli, a diverse group of bacteria, can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. In more serious cases, it can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure and prove fatal.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
