In October 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded a recall for frozen organic berries that were sold at Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Publix and other stores after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people in 2 states.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting E. coli food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you got sick from Trader Joe’s frozen berries that were recalled for E. coli O145, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Quick Facts About This Recall
- Recalled by: Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile
- Products: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz), Great Value Organic Blueberries (10 oz), and Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend (12 oz), GreenWise frozen berry products (sold at Publix)
- Recall dates: Original outbreak recall on July 3, 2026; recall expanded to Trader Joe’s products on October 2, 2026
- Risk: E. coli O145:H28
- Illnesses: 17 illnesses in 2 states (Florida and Georgia), 6 hospitalizations, 0 deaths as of September 21, 2026
- Where sold: Select Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico; select Trader Joe’s stores in 26 states and Washington, DC; select Publix stores
- Official source: FDA recall notice
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur Recalls Frozen Berries Sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s
In October 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile expanded a recall for frozen organic IQF blueberries and berry blends that may be contaminated with E. coli O145:H28.
The new lots include Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, Great Value Organic Blueberries, and 1 lot of Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend. The earlier recalls began in July 2026 for Greenwise® berry products that were sold at Publix and again in September 2026 for Great Value® frozen berry products that were sold at Walmart.
What Products Were Recalled?
The expanded recall in October 2026 includes frozen berry products with specific lot codes and best-by dates, including:
- Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz (strawberries, blackberries and blueberries): UPC 7874211226. Lot codes 6 031 01 and 6 041 01, printed on the front of the package. Best If Used By January 31, 2028 and February 10, 2028.
- Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz: UPC 7874211213. Lot codes 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01, printed on the front of the package. Best If Used By January 19, 2028, February 9, 2028 and 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 February 20, 2028.
Where Were the Products Sold?
The Great Value® frozen berry products were shipped to select Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
The Trader Joe’s frozen berry products were shipped to select Trader Joe’s stores in 26 states and Washington, DC: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
How Was the Outbreak Discovered?
On July 1, 2026, the Florida Department of Health notified federal health officials about a cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses. Interviews with people who got sick pointed to frozen GreenWise® organic blueberries that were sold at Publix. Two days later, the supplier recalled 1 lot of those blueberries, according to the FDA outbreak investigation.
When samples of GreenWise® frozen blueberry products were analyzed, one sample tested positive for the same strain of E. coli that was making people sick in this outbreak outbreak. All samples collected by the FDA were reported as negative. The FDA also added the company’s products to Import Alert 99-35, which allows frozen blueberries from the supplier to be detained at the border without physical examination.
How Many People Got Sick?
As of September 21, 2026, the FDA confirmed a total 17 illnesses from the outbreak strain of E. coli O145:H28. The illnesses were reported in Florida and Georgia between May 11, 2026 and August 2, 2026. Six people were hospitalized. The CDC declared the outbreak over on September 21, 2026.
Were Any Illnesses Linked to the Expanded Recall?
No. The expanded recall announced on October 2, 2026 does not report any new illnesses associated with the additional lots of Great Value or Trader Joe’s frozen berry products. If you got sick after eating one of the recalled products, a lawyer can review the facts and tell you if your illness may be connected.
What Are the Symptoms?
E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strain of bacteria. Infections can be serious or even life-threatening, especially for people with vulnerable immune systems. The symptoms can begin anywhere from a few days after eating contaminated food to up to 9 days later, and may include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever
What Should I Do?
The company and the FDA give the following guidance for people who have the recalled products at home:
- Check your freezer for the lot codes and Best By dates listed above.
- Do not consume products with those lot codes.
- Throw away the product or return it to Walmart or Trader Joe’s for a full refund.
- The FDA recommends consulting a health care provider immediately if you ate recalled frozen berry products and have symptoms that resemble an E. coli infection.
Questions about the recall can go to the company at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM EST. Updates are posted on the FDA’s outbreak investigation page.
You may have legal options if you got sick after eating frozen berry products that were recalled for E. coli or other types of contamination. Time limits apply to food poisoning claims, so do not wait to find out where you stand.
Do I Have an E. Coli Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting E. coli food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you got sick from Trader Joe’s frozen berries that were recalled for E. coli O145, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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