Organic Frozen Blueberries Recalled for E. coli — Check the Back of Your Freezer
Most food recalls are a race against a use-by date measured in days. This one isn't. Frozen blueberries recalled for a dangerous strain of E. coli carry a "Best by" date of February 2028 — which means bags bought this summer can sit, unnoticed, in a freezer for well over a year.
On July 22, 2026, the FDA posted a Class I recall (number H-1181-2026) for frozen organic whole blueberries over potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28. The recall was initiated on July 3 and remains ongoing.
What's affected
According to the FDA enforcement record, the recalling firm is Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. (San Carlos, Chile), which supplies the GreenWise Organic frozen blueberry line. The recalled product:
- Organic Whole Blueberries, net wt 10 oz (284 g) plastic bag, "Keep Frozen," packed 8 bags per case;
- Lot 6040 01, with a Best by date of Feb 09 2028;
- Roughly 3,640 cases, distributed in Florida.
GreenWise is the organic store brand sold at Publix, so the Florida distribution points to Publix stores. Always confirm the exact product against the official FDA notice linked below.
Why E. coli O145 in frozen berries is a serious combination
Two things make this recall worth acting on rather than shrugging off.
The pathogen. E. coli O145:H28 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), the same family as the better-known O157:H7. It can cause severe, bloody diarrhea and, in some people — especially young children and the elderly — a dangerous complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that can damage the kidneys. This isn't an "upset stomach" bug.
The freezer. Freezing doesn't kill E. coli; it just pauses it. And unlike fresh produce that gets thrown out within days, frozen berries live in the back of the freezer for months. A bag bought in July with a 2028 date can still be there at Christmas. That long shelf life is exactly why a frozen-food recall deserves a deliberate check, not a quick glance at what's in the fridge.
What to do
Check your freezer for 10-oz bags of organic whole blueberries, Lot 6040 01, Best by Feb 09 2028 (GreenWise Organic line). If you have them, do not eat them — even in a smoothie, since blending doesn't kill the bacteria — and don't rinse them in the sink (that can spread contamination). Throw them out or return them to the store. If you or a family member ate them and have severe or bloody diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider and mention the possible E. coli exposure.
Source
- FDA — Enforcement Report, recall H-1181-2026 (product, lot, Best by date, distribution): fda.gov recalls / openFDA record
Facts and figures come from the public FDA enforcement report (a U.S. government work, public domain). This article is independent consumer information and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the FDA, GreenWise, Publix, or Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur.
Know before you eat
Numeline scans a product and checks it against official FDA & USDA recalls in real time — and flags allergens for your dietary profile. Free on iOS and Android.