By Staff Reporter | August 21, 2026
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall involving GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries to its highest-risk classification after concerns over possible E. coli contamination.
The recalled frozen fruit was distributed through Publix supermarkets in eight states, prompting health officials to urge consumers to check their freezers and avoid eating affected products.
Frozen blueberries and mixed berries recalled
Publix previously recalled all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries because of the potential presence of E. coli.
The products were distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The FDA has now classified the recall as a Class 1 recall, its most serious category. According to the agency, this classification is used when there is a reasonable probability that consuming or being exposed to a recalled product could result in serious health consequences or death.
Consumers urged to check expiration dates
Consumers who purchased the affected frozen berries are advised to check the product information carefully.
Products with expiration dates before February 9, 2028, are included in the warning, according to the recall information provided by the FDA.
Anyone who has the recalled berries at home should not eat them. Consumers should discard the products or return them to a Publix store for a refund.
Because frozen foods can remain in household freezers for extended periods, consumers who purchased frozen berries weeks or months ago may still have affected products at home.
What are the symptoms of E. coli infection?
E. coli bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms potentially including:
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Some E. coli infections can become significantly more serious and may result in complications requiring medical attention.
Consumers who believe they have become ill after eating a recalled product should contact a healthcare professional, particularly if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Why the FDA's Class 1 warning matters
A Class 1 designation represents the FDA's highest level of recall risk.
The classification does not mean that every person who consumes the recalled product will become seriously ill. Instead, it indicates that the agency considers there to be a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death associated with the recalled product.
That makes checking recalled products especially important for consumers who regularly purchase frozen fruit for smoothies, desserts, breakfast foods or other recipes.
Recent food recalls raise wider safety concerns
The frozen berry recall comes during a period of heightened attention to food safety in the United States.
Other recent recalls have involved products including Argentine beef, eggs and prepared foods containing jalapeños, demonstrating how food-safety concerns can affect a wide range of products and distribution networks.
For consumers, food recalls highlight the importance of checking official recall notices rather than relying solely on supermarket shelves or product packaging.
What consumers should do now
People who may have purchased the recalled GreenWise Organic frozen berries should take a few basic precautions.
First, check the freezer for the affected products and compare the product information with the recall notice. Do not taste the berries to determine whether they are safe.
If the product matches the recall, consumers should dispose of it or return it to Publix for a refund.
Consumers should also avoid serving recalled berries to children, older adults or anyone else in the household while the recall remains in effect.
A reminder about frozen food safety
The recall is also a reminder that freezing does not necessarily eliminate all food-safety risks. Frozen products can remain stored for months, meaning a recall announced today can involve food purchased considerably earlier.
Consumers can reduce their risk by regularly checking FDA and retailer recall announcements, keeping food packaging until products are used and paying attention to lot numbers, expiration dates and product descriptions when a recall is announced.
The FDA's decision to upgrade the GreenWise Organic frozen blueberry and mixed berry recall to a Class 1 warning underscores the seriousness of the potential E. coli contamination.
Consumers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia should check whether they have affected products, particularly frozen berries with expiration dates before February 9, 2028. Recalled products should not be consumed and should instead be discarded or returned to Publix.
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