Frozen berries sold at Walmart have been added to a growing recall list linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak.
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. first initiated a recall for GreenWise-brand frozen organic blueberries on July 3, which expanded on July 29 to include GreenWise frozen mixed berries, all sold at Publix. The products have been linked to 17 illnesses, including six hospitalizations, as of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s last update on Sept. 3.
Sold in Walmart locations across 16 states, the newly recalled Great Value-brand products have been removed from shelves, according to the Food and Drug Administration, but they have expiration dates into 2028, meaning they could still be in freezers.
“There are no illnesses associated with this specific product to date,” said the FDA’s Sept. 3 notice. “This market action is taken as a precautionary measure following traceback information of the previous recall.”
Which Walmart Berries Were Recalled?
- Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 ounces (including strawberries, blackberries and blueberries). UPC: 7874211226; lot code: 6040 01-6; use-by date: Feb. 9, 2028.
Lot codes are on the front of the package.
Where the Recalled Berries Were Sold
The berries were sold at Walmart stores in 16 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Other Berries Recalled
The latest Great Value recall expands a larger Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A.-initiated recall that was first issued on July 3 and expanded on July 29. The previous recalls covered GreenWise-branded frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix, including:
- Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, 10 ounces; lot code: 60401; best-by date: Feb. 9, 2028.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10 ounces; UPC: 41415-06453.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48 ounces; UPC: 41415-12053.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10 ounces; UPC: 41415-06753.
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48 ounces; UPC: 41415-12153.
What to Do With Recalled Berries
While the recalled berries are no longer for sale, they could still be in consumers’ freezers. The FDA advises consumers not to eat recalled products and instead to throw them away or return them to Walmart for a refund.
E. Coli Symptoms to Watch For
The outbreak strain of E. coli linked to the berries has been identified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. This type of E. coli is known to cause a serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, according to the FDA.
Children are more likely to suffer from HUS, which damages blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. This causes red blood cells to break down, leading to anemia and clots in the blood vessels. These clots may damage the kidneys and other organs and cause kidney failure or even death.
Symptoms of E. coli poisoning appear two to eight days after exposure and usually last about a week, according to the CDC. These can include:
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Excessive vomiting, to the point that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, reduced urination and dizziness
- Abdominal cramping, pain or bloating
HUS has some additional symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, including:
- High blood pressure
- Pallor or loss of color in the skin
- Extreme tiredness
- Easy bruising
- Unusual bleeding, such as bleeding from the nose and mouth
- Decreased urination or blood in the urine
- Swelling, called edema, of the legs, feet or ankles
- Confusion, seizures or stroke
Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect