GreenWise Organic Blueberries Lawsuit Update: E. Coli Recall, Illnesses, and Legal Options

Current legal status: Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. announced the recall on July 3, 2026, and the FDA published the company announcement on July 6, 2026. The FDA investigation remains ongoing, and no public settlement has been announced.

The recall covers one lot of 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries sold through Publix stores. Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled berries and should discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Quick Facts

• The recalled product is GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries in 10-ounce packages.
• The affected packages have lot code 60401 and a Best By date of February 9, 2028.
• The outbreak includes 12 illnesses in Florida and Georgia, including four hospitalizations.
• The recalled blueberries were shipped to Publix stores in eight states.

Latest GreenWise Organic Blueberries Recall and Lawsuit Developments

July 2026

July 7, 2026 – The GreenWise blueberry recall received wider attention as consumers in Georgia, Florida, and other Southern states were urged to check their freezers. The recalled berries were linked to 12 E. coli O145:H28 illnesses, including four hospitalizations and no reported deaths [1].

July 6, 2026 – FDA and CDC announced an ongoing investigation into a multistate outbreak linked to frozen GreenWise organic blueberries. Eleven illnesses were reported in Florida and one was reported in Georgia, with illness onset dates ranging from May 11 through June 5, 2026 [2].

July 6, 2026 – FDA published the original company recall announcement for 10-ounce packages with lot code 60401 and a Best By date of February 9, 2028. No other GreenWise blueberry lot codes or Best By dates were included in the recall [3].

July 3, 2026 – Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. initiated the recall after illnesses involving E. coli O145:H28 were reported among consumers who had eaten frozen blueberries. The company instructed customers to isolate the affected lot, stop distributing it, and notify downstream customers.

July 1, 2026 – The Florida Department of Health notified CDC of a cluster of E. coli O145 illnesses. Interviews with sick people identified frozen GreenWise organic blueberries sold at Publix as the leading food item of interest, and Publix implemented an internal stop sale.

What Is the GreenWise Organic Blueberries Recall?

The recall involves frozen organic blueberries sold under Publix’s GreenWise brand. The berries were produced by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile.

The affected product is:

• Product: GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries
• Package size: 10 ounces
• Lot code: 60401
• Best By date: February 9, 2028

No other lot codes or Best By dates were included in the recall when the FDA announcement was published. Consumers should inspect frozen blueberry packages carefully because the long shelf life means affected bags may remain in home freezers for an extended period.

The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores in:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia

FDA cautioned that the blueberries may have reached additional retailers or locations. The agency said it would update the advisory if further distribution information became available.

What Is E. Coli O145?

E. coli O145:H28 is a type of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, commonly called STEC. While many strains of E. coli are harmless, STEC strains can produce toxins that damage the intestines and other organs.

Infection may cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that can become bloody, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms can begin within several days after eating contaminated food or may take as long as nine days to appear.

Most healthy people recover within approximately one week. Some infections can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can cause kidney failure, neurological problems, chronic kidney disease, or death.

Young children, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems may face an increased risk of severe illness. HUS can occur in people of any age, however, and symptoms require prompt medical attention.

Reported Illnesses and Hospitalizations

Twelve people infected with the outbreak strain were reported from Florida and Georgia. Eleven cases were identified in Florida and one was identified in Georgia.

Illnesses began between May 11 and June 5, 2026. Seven of nine people interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries, and five specifically reported eating GreenWise organic frozen blueberries purchased from Publix.

Four people were hospitalized. No deaths had been reported as of the FDA’s July 6 update.

The recall announcement described the investigation as involving 12 confirmed stomach illnesses associated with E. coli O145:H28 infections. FDA and state partners were still working to determine the source of the contamination.

Symptoms of GreenWise Blueberry E. Coli Infection

Consumers who ate the recalled blueberries should watch for symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms may begin a few days after exposure or up to nine days later.

Signs of possible hemolytic uremic syndrome may include decreased urination, extreme tiredness, pale skin, unexplained bruising, blood in the urine, or reduced alertness. HUS is a medical emergency and can lead to kidney failure or lasting health problems.

Anyone who ate the recalled blueberries and developed symptoms should contact a health care provider promptly. Consumers should tell the provider about the recalled product and ask whether stool testing or additional monitoring is appropriate.

How Could the Blueberries Become Contaminated?

Frozen fruit can become contaminated before harvesting, during washing or processing, through contaminated water, from equipment, or during packaging and distribution. Freezing does not reliably eliminate pathogenic E. coli.

The investigation may examine the growing fields, irrigation and wash water, processing facility, freezing equipment, sanitation procedures, employee practices, transportation, and environmental testing. FDA stated that the source of the presumptive contamination remained under investigation.

Contaminated berries may also transfer bacteria to freezer drawers, containers, countertops, utensils, blenders, and other food. FDA advised consumers and businesses to clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that came into contact with the recalled product.

Who May Be Liable?

Potentially responsible parties may include the grower, processor, packer, importer, distributor, retailer, sanitation contractor, or another company involved in producing and selling the blueberries. Liability depends on the source of contamination, distribution records, laboratory evidence, medical documentation, and applicable state law.

A legal investigation may review production records, food-safety plans, environmental samples, supplier documents, testing results, sanitation procedures, traceability records, and communications concerning the outbreak. Publix purchase records and product codes may help establish whether an injured consumer bought the recalled lot.

Consumers generally do not need to prove exactly how bacteria entered the product before requesting a legal review. Evidence connecting the illness to the recalled blueberries and outbreak strain may be central to evaluating a claim.

Who May Be Affected?

Consumers may be affected if they ate the recalled blueberries alone or used them in smoothies, baked goods, yogurt, cereal, desserts, or other foods. A person may also be exposed through food prepared by a family member, restaurant, school, care facility, or food-service business.

The product’s February 2028 Best By date creates a continuing risk because packages may remain stored in freezers long after the initial recall. Consumers who removed the berries from their original packaging and cannot identify the lot should discard them.

Family members may also face losses when a patient requires hospitalization, kidney monitoring, ongoing treatment, or time away from work. Severe infections may cause medical expenses and health problems that continue after the initial gastrointestinal symptoms resolve.

Do I Qualify?

• Did you purchase or eat GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries?
• Did the package contain lot code 60401 and a Best By date of February 9, 2028?
• Were the blueberries purchased from Publix or another retailer in the affected distribution area?
• Did you develop severe cramps, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, or kidney-related symptoms?
• Were you diagnosed with E. coli O145, another STEC infection, or hemolytic uremic syndrome?
• Did you require emergency treatment, hospitalization, kidney monitoring, dialysis, or follow-up medical care?
• Do you have the packaging, receipt, Publix account history, photographs, medical records, laboratory results, or leftover product?

Consumers should preserve the original package, lot code, receipt, loyalty-account records, photographs, medical records, and laboratory reports. Any remaining blueberries should be stored securely and should not be eaten, handled unnecessarily, or submitted for private testing without legal and medical guidance.

Do I Have a GreenWise Organic Blueberries Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one developed E. coli illness after eating recalled GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries, you may have legal options. Contact Schmidt & Clark for a free case review.

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Important Legal Actions or Recalls

Potential Compensation

Potential compensation may include emergency treatment, physician visits, laboratory testing, hospitalization, medication, kidney monitoring, dialysis, specialist treatment, and future medical care.

Additional damages may include pain and suffering, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, travel expenses, long-term kidney complications, neurological problems, and emotional distress. Parents may also incur lost income and caregiving expenses when a child becomes seriously ill.

Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Legal Process Overview

Step 1: Free case review. The review begins with the product, lot code, purchase location, consumption date, symptom timeline, diagnosis, and medical treatment.

Step 2: Evidence preservation and investigation. Preserve the package, receipt, photographs, Publix purchase history, medical records, laboratory results, leftover product, and communications with health officials.

Step 3: Filing the claim. A supported claim may allege negligence, strict product liability, breach of warranty, failure to follow food-safety practices, or other causes of action under applicable law.

Step 4: Discovery and negotiation. The parties may exchange production records, test results, sanitation documents, distribution records, medical evidence, expert opinions, and outbreak-investigation materials.

Step 5: Resolution. A case may conclude through settlement, dismissal, court ruling, or trial based on the evidence connecting the illness to the recalled berries and the consumer’s documented losses.

Frequently Asked Questions About GreenWise Organic Blueberries Lawsuits

Which GreenWise blueberries were recalled?

The recall covers 10-ounce packages of GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries with lot code 60401 and a Best By date of February 9, 2028. No other lots or Best By dates were included in the initial recall announcement.

How many people became sick?

Twelve illnesses were reported in Florida and Georgia. Four people were hospitalized, and no deaths had been reported as of July 6, 2026.

Where were the recalled blueberries sold?

The product was shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. FDA warned that additional distribution was possible.

What should I do with recalled blueberries?

Do not eat, sell, or serve them. Discard the product or return it to the place of purchase, and clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that contacted the berries.

What if I removed the berries from the original package?

If you cannot determine whether frozen berries are part of the recall, FDA recommends throwing them away. Do not taste them to determine whether they are safe.

When do E. coli symptoms begin?

Symptoms may begin within a few days after eating contaminated food or up to nine days later. Consumers should seek medical care for severe cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, reduced urination, or other concerning symptoms.

Can E. coli survive freezing?

Yes. Freezing may stop bacterial growth but does not reliably kill pathogenic E. coli, allowing contaminated frozen fruit to remain hazardous during long-term storage.

What evidence should I save?

Save the package, lot code, receipt, Publix account records, product photographs, medical records, stool-test results, hospitalization records, and any communications with public-health investigators.

References

1. https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/frozen-blueberry-recall-publix-georgia-florida-e-coli-contamination/
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-frozen-blueberries-july-2026
3. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frutas-y-hortalizas-del-sur-sa-initiates-recall-frozen-greenwise-organic-iqf-blueberries-due
4. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html
5. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/signs-symptoms/index.html
6. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/signs-symptoms/hus.html