Food Warning: Great Value, GreenWise Frozen Berries Recalled

Retail giant Walmart has issued a voluntary recall for a specific lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend due to potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28, federal health officials announced.

The recall, initiated by supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., is an expansion of an ongoing federal investigation into a multistate foodborne illness outbreak linked to imported frozen blueberries.

The impacted 10-ounce bags of Great Value Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend (containing strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries) carry the lot code 6040 01-6 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.

According to distribution records, the affected product was shipped to Walmart retail locations across 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Ongoing Outbreak and Health Risks

While no illnesses have been tied specifically to the Great Value lot to date, the broader E. coli strain behind the recall has been linked to at least 17 illnesses and 6 hospitalizations primarily centered in Georgia and Florida.

Public health officials warn that E. coli O145:H28 can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms typically appear three to four days after exposure and include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. While most recover within a week, some cases can escalate to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

Consumer Action Required

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urges consumers to check their freezers immediately. Anyone in possession of the recalled berry blend is instructed not to consume the product. Bags should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Furthermore, health officials advise that if frozen berries have been transferred into unlabeled containers and the original packaging cannot be verified, they should be thrown out as a precaution.

The July Recall

The initial recall started on July 3, 2026, when supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix grocery stores.

The Outbreak Timeline

May 11, 2026: The earliest illnesses associated with the outbreak began surfacing in Florida and Georgia.

Late June 2026: Publix enacted an internal “stop sale” on specific frozen products after receiving early reports of consumer digestive illnesses.

July 3, 2026: The first official, public voluntary recall was announced for GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10-ounce packages) sold at Publix.

Late July 2026: Publix proactively expanded the pull to cover all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries across eight states.

September 2026: After tracing the berry supply chain further, the supplier officially expanded the recall to include the specific lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart.