Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's added to E. coli recall

A Chilean berry packer has widened its recall of frozen organic berries to include products sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's, including stores in Texas, over possible contamination with E. coli O145.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile, added three products to the recall as a precaution, according to the Daily Mail and WSLS, which reported the Food and Drug Administration notice. The products are:

• Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 ounces, lot codes 6 031 01 and 6 041 01, with Best If Used By dates of Jan. 31, 2028, and Feb. 10, 2028.
• Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 ounces, lot codes 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01, with Best If Used By dates of Jan. 19, 2028, Feb. 9, 2028, and June 12, 2028.
• Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 ounces, lot code 6 051 01, printed on the back of the package, with a Best Before date of Feb. 20, 2028.

The Great Value bags went to Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico, and the Trader Joe's bags to stores in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Texas is on both lists.

The FDA advises anyone who has the products to throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.

The recall builds on one that began in July, when the same company recalled frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix after they were linked to an E. coli outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 17 people sickened in that outbreak, in Florida and Georgia, and declared it over in September. No illnesses have been tied to the newly recalled lots. The Daily Mail reported that health officials issued the new alert after "traceback information" tied the Walmart and Trader Joe's products to the same supplier.

E. coli O145 can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Children under 5 and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of severe illness, including a kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Sources

dailymail.com

wsls.com