The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has elevated a recall of frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix supermarkets to its highest risk classification, citing potential E. coli contamination that has already sickened more than a dozen consumers.
The recall, initially announced in early July by Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., was triggered after at least 12 reports of digestive illnesses linked to the berries. Publix subsequently pulled 10-ounce packages of its private-label Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries from shelves. The supermarket chain later expanded the recall to include certain 48-ounce packages “out of an abundance of caution.”
On Tuesday, the FDA reclassified the recall as Class I, the agency’s most serious designation, reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
The affected berries were distributed to Publix stores across all eight states where the chain operates: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Shoppers in those states are urged to check their freezers for the recalled product.
Consumers can identify the recalled 10-ounce packages by the best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028, according to the FDA’s enforcement report. The agency is advising anyone who purchased the berries to discard them immediately or return them to Publix for a full refund.
Publix has issued a statement reminding customers “not to consume them, and the product(s) should be discarded or returned to Publix for a full refund.” The company said it is cooperating fully with federal regulators.
E. coli infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with more serious complications such as kidney failure possible in vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that E. coli causes more than 265,000 illnesses in the United States each year.
This recall comes amid heightened scrutiny of food safety protocols, particularly for frozen produce, which is often perceived as lower risk than fresh items. Earlier this year, the FDA also elevated a separate egg recall to its highest risk level over salmonella concerns, underscoring a broader pattern of regulatory vigilance.
Consumers who believe they may have consumed the recalled blueberries and are experiencing symptoms are advised to contact their healthcare provider. The FDA and Publix are continuing to monitor the situation, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
