Health Alert: E. coli Found in Frozen Berry Products Distributed Across 30 States
Updated October 4, 2026
A major frozen berry recall has been expanded after concerns over potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli that can cause serious foodborne illness.
On October 2, 2026, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, expanded its previously announced recalls to include additional lots of Great Value Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend, Great Value Frozen Organic Blueberries and one lot of Trader Joe's Frozen Organic Mixed Berry Blend.
The newly recalled products were distributed across 30 states and Puerto Rico in the case of the Great Value products. The Trader Joe's product was distributed to 26 states and Washington, D.C.
Important: The 30-State Distribution Is Not a 30-State Illness OutbreakFederal health officials previously concluded an investigation into an outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 infections associated with frozen berry products.
As of the CDC's September 21 final outbreak update, 17 illnesses had been reported in Florida and Georgia, with six hospitalizations and no deaths.
The later recall expansion is broader than the confirmed illness locations.
The newly recalled Great Value products were shipped to select Walmart stores in 30 states plus Puerto Rico. This means potentially affected products may be in consumers' freezers across a large portion of the United States, but it does not mean that 30 states have reported E. coli illnesses.
New Recall Includes Products Containing Strawberries
The latest recall includes Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, which contains:
Strawberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
This is an important distinction for consumers. The federal outbreak investigation identified frozen blueberries as the principal food exposure associated with the illnesses, while the expanded recall now includes additional berry products, including a triple-berry product containing strawberries.
Consumers should not interpret this recall as evidence of a nationwide outbreak caused by fresh strawberries.
Newly Recalled Great Value ProductsGreat Value Organic Triple Berry Blend -- 10 OZUPC: 7874211226
Package size: 10 ouncesLot codes: 6 031 01 and 6 041 01
Best If Used By dates:
January 31, 2028, and February 10, 2028
This product contains strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.
Great Value Organic Blueberries -- 10 OZUPC: 7874211213Package size: 10 ouncesLot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01
Best If Used By dates:
January 19, 2028
February 9, 2028
June 12, 2028
Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend -- 12 OZUPC: 00977654Package size: 12 ouncesLot code: 6 051 01Best Before date: February 20, 2028
Consumers who have any of these products should not eat them.
The products should be discarded or returned to Walmart or Trader Joe's for a full refund, as applicable.
Where Were the Newly Recalled Great Value Products Sold?
The recalled Great Value products were shipped to select Walmart stores in:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
That means consumers in New York and 29 other states should check their freezers if they shop at affected Walmart locations.
Trader Joe's Product Distribution
The recalled Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend was shipped to select stores in:
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.
Why Was the Recall Expanded?
According to the company's October 2 announcement, the latest market action was taken as a precautionary measure following traceback information linked to frozen blueberries involved in the first recall issued July 3, 2026.
The company is working with regulatory authorities and customers in connection with the recall.
Earlier in the investigation, a sample of a recalled GreenWise frozen berry product collected by Publix tested positive for the same strain of E. coli associated with the outbreak.
E. coli O145:H28 Can Cause Serious IllnessE. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Infection can cause:
Severe stomach cramps
Diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Fever
While many healthy people recover within about a week, some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can cause kidney failure.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
What Consumers Should Do NowConsumers should check their freezers -- including frozen fruit purchased months ago -- for the affected products.
Do not taste or eat a recalled product to determine whether it is safe.
If you find a recalled product:
Do not consume it.
Keep it away from other food.
Discard it or return it to the appropriate retailer for a refund.
Wash your hands after handling the product or its packaging.
Clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled food.
Because some recalled products have Best If Used By or Best Before dates extending into 2028, consumers should not assume an older-looking package is harmless.
What Are the Symptoms of E. coli Infection?Symptoms can include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms may begin several days after exposure.
Some people develop complications after the initial illness, including HUS.
Anyone who becomes seriously ill after eating a recalled product should seek medical attention and tell their healthcare provider about the possible food exposure.
The Outbreak Has Ended -- But the Recall Has ExpandedThe CDC previously declared the E. coli O145:H28 outbreak over on September 21, 2026, and the FDA said its outbreak investigation was complete.
However, the October 2 recall expansion means consumers still need to take action.
An outbreak being declared over does not make recalled food safe to eat. Recalled products may remain in home freezers long after they have disappeared from store shelves.
BOTTOM LINE
Check your freezer.
If you have Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 OZ, Great Value Organic Blueberries 10 OZ, or the recalled Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend 12 OZ matching the lot codes listed above, do not eat it.
The Great Value recall reaches 30 states plus Puerto Rico, while the Trader Joe's recall reaches 26 states plus Washington, D.C.
The presence of recalled products in those locations does not mean those states have confirmed E. coli cases. The confirmed outbreak illnesses reported by CDC were in Florida and Georgia.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the company at 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, or by email at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com.
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