Frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's are under an expanded recall for possible E. coli contamination. The products were shipped to Ohio stores, meaning they could be in freezers across the Mason area.
Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. announced Friday, Oct. 2, that it expanded its recall to include additional lots of Great Value Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend, Great Value Frozen Organic Blueberries and Trader Joe's Frozen Organic Mixed Berry Blend. The FDA recall notice cites potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28, a strain that can cause bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
Both Great Value products were shipped to select Walmart stores in 30 states, including Ohio. The Trader Joe's product went to select stores in 26 states and the District of Columbia, also including Ohio. Because the recalled bags carry "Best By" dates stretching into 2028, they could remain in home freezers for months.
This is the third recall tied to the same supplier. Previous rounds were issued July 3 and Sept. 3.
What to check in your freezer
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz (UPC 7874211226)
- Lot codes: 6 031 01, 6 041 01 (printed on the front of the package)
- Best If Used By: Jan. 31, 2028; Feb. 10, 2028
Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz (UPC 7874211213)
- Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01, 6 163 01 (printed on the front of the package)
- Best If Used By: Jan. 19, 2028; Feb. 9, 2028; June 12, 2028
Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 oz (UPC 00977654)
- Lot code: 6 051 01 (printed on the back of the package)
- Best Before: Feb. 20, 2028
The supplier said in its recall notice that affected products should not be eaten and should be discarded or returned to Walmart or Trader Joe's for a full refund.
Outbreak declared over; precautionary recall continues
The recall is a precautionary expansion linked to an outbreak the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared over as of Sept. 21. According to the FDA's outbreak investigation page, 17 people in two states were infected between May 11 and Aug. 2. Six were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Of 13 people interviewed, 11 reported eating frozen blueberries.
E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain. Most healthy people recover within a week, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney condition.
The FDA has placed products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. on Import Alert 99-35, meaning the firm's frozen blueberries may be detained at the U.S. border without physical examination.
WLWT first reported on the expanded recall for the Cincinnati region.
Consumers with questions can contact the supplier's media representative, Joshua Weiss, at 336-899-5612 or [email protected], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
