Walmart, Trader Joe's Frozen Berries Recalled Over E. coli Fears

A recall of frozen berries, previously linked to E. coli infections, has been expanded to include three additional products sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's, according to an announcement from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. The company is taking this precautionary measure over concerns that these items may also be contaminated with E. coli, a bacteria that can cause severe illness.

The newly added products are Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 ounces), Great Value Organic Blueberries (10 ounces), and Organic Mixed Berry Blend (12 ounces). The Great Value products were distributed to Walmart stores across 30 states in the South, Northeast, and Midwest. The Organic Mixed Berry Blend was available at Trader Joe's locations in 26 states within similar regions. These products have best-by dates extending to June of the following year.

Customers are advised not to consume these frozen berries and to discard them or return them to the store for a full refund. Specific UPC codes for the recalled Great Value products are 6 031 01 and 6 041 01 for the Organic Triple Blend, and 6 019 01, 6 040 01, and 6 163 01 for the Organic Blueberries. The Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend has the UPC code 6 051 01.

This expansion updates a previous recall initiated in July, which involved Publix-sold GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries and later GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries due to potential E. coli contamination. The initial recall affected stores in eight southern states.

To date, an outbreak linked to frozen berries has sickened 17 people in Florida and Georgia, with six individuals requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak. Health officials stated that the current recall of Walmart and Trader Joe's products was issued after traceback information indicated these berries originated from the same source as the previously recalled items, although no illnesses have been directly linked to these specific newly recalled products.

The E. coli strain of concern is O145:H28, known for its potential to cause bloody diarrhea and more severe symptoms. E. coli bacteria can survive freezing temperatures and reactivate in warmer environments. Symptoms of E. coli infection typically appear two to eight days after exposure and can include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure, particularly in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. Approximately 90,000 Americans and 1,500 Britons contract E. coli annually, with about 100 deaths in the US and UK each year.