Frozen organic berry recall expands to more Walmart and Trader Joe's products
More frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's are being recalled because they could be contaminated with a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria.
The recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's has expanded, according to a company announcement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Chilean supplier, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., widened its recall on Friday, citing concerns over contamination with a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria known as E. coli O145. This is the second time the recall has expanded since it began in July.
The recalled frozen organic berries are sold under the Great Value brand at Walmart stores in select locations across 30 states and Puerto Rico, as well as under the Trader Joe's brand at select stores in 26 states and Washington, D.C. Consumers with these products are advised not to consume them and instead dispose of them or return them to the store for a full refund.
The potential contamination with E. coli O145, a strain that produces Shiga toxin, can lead to severe symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be bloody. While most healthy individuals recover within a week, others can develop a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure. High-risk groups include young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
E. coli O145 symptoms can manifest a few days after consuming contaminated food or as late as nine days later, as stated by the FDA. Anyone who has eaten recalled frozen berry products and experiences symptoms resembling an E. coli infection is advised to consult their healthcare provider immediately. The latest recall expansion is a precautionary measure based on traceback information, linking the contaminated food back through the supply chain to frozen blueberries recalled in July.
Initially, the outbreak was tied to GreenWise-brand organic blueberries sold at Publix stores in Florida and Georgia. As of September 21, the outbreak had caused 17 illnesses, with six hospitalizations, but no deaths reported. The CDC declared the outbreak over on that date, but the supplier continues to issue related recalls. The recalled frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's have best-by dates extending into 2028, meaning they could still be present in home freezers.
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