E. coli O145 Outbreak: 12 Sick, 4 Hospitalized; GreenWise Frozen Blueberries Recalled
E. coli O145:H28 outbreak: 12 cases (11 FL, 1 GA), 4 hospitalized, 0 deaths; GreenWise organic IQF blueberries 10-oz, lot 60401, recalled.
TL;DR — The FDA and CDC linked a multistate E. coli O145 outbreak to frozen GreenWise organic blueberries sold at Publix; 12 people were infected across Florida and Georgia, four were hospitalized, and the product was recalled.
FDA and CDC issued an outbreak advisory on July 6, 2026 tied to frozen blueberries. The facts:
What happened
The FDA and CDC linked a multistate E. coli O145:H28 outbreak to GreenWise organic frozen blueberries sold at Publix. Twelve people were infected across two states (11 in Florida, one in Georgia); four were hospitalized and there were no deaths. Illness onsets ran May 11 to June 5, 2026. Publix pulled the product around July 3, the supplier initiated a recall on July 5, and the public advisory followed on July 6.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Cases | 12 (11 FL, 1 GA) |
| Hospitalized | 4 — no deaths |
| Strain | E. coli O145:H28 |
| Product | GreenWise organic IQF blueberries, 10 oz, lot 60401, best-by Feb 9, 2028 |
The blueberries were distributed by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, and shipped to Publix stores in eight states (AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA). Of nine cases interviewed, 78% reported eating frozen blueberries and five specifically named GreenWise.
The details
Federal notices are attributed to the FDA, CDC and Publix; no individual spokesperson is quoted in the public advisories.
Why it matters
- Small outbreak, serious strain. A roughly 33% hospitalization rate reflects O145’s virulence, including the risk of kidney complications.
- Imported frozen berries recur. Frozen berry outbreaks keep surfacing despite modest case counts.
- Check your freezer. Consumers should not eat the recalled lot and should discard or return it.
FAQ
Which blueberries were recalled?
GreenWise organic individually quick-frozen (IQF) blueberries in 10-ounce bags, lot code 60401, best-by February 9, 2028, sold at Publix. FDA and CDC linked them to an E. coli O145:H28 outbreak announced July 6, 2026.
How many people got sick?
Twelve people across two states (11 in Florida, one in Georgia) were infected; four were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Illness onsets ranged from May 11 to June 5, 2026.
Sources
- FDA — outbreak investigation: E. coli, frozen blueberries (July 2026)
- WUSF — E. coli outbreak linked to frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix
Image: Frozen blueberries by Arches National Park (NPS) — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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