- FDA expanded a frozen berry recall in October covering Walmart Great Value and Trader Joe's products due to E. coli O145 contamination traced back to July blueberries affecting 30+ states.
- E. coli O145 causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with higher risks for children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Consumers should discard recalled berries or return them for refunds; contact distributor if symptoms develop after consumption of affected products.
You might remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of frozen berries sold by Publix back in July, and then expanded it in September to include Walmart products. And it’s time to check your freezer again, because the FDA has announced an additional expansion of the recall to include more berries sold at Walmart, as well as at Trader Joe’s. The reason for the recall remains the same: the berries may be contaminated with E. Coli O145 bacteria.
On October 2, the distributor of the berries announced it was expanding its July 3 and September 3 recalls to include more lots of Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 oz, Great Value frozen Organic Blueberries 10 oz size (sold by Walmart) and one lot of Trader Joe’s frozen Organic Mixed Berry Blend. The expansion is linked to frozen blueberries from the July 3 incident, which have now been traced to these products as well.
The broader outbreak has resulted in 17 reported illnesses and six hospitalizations, though these cases have not been specifically linked to the latest expansion.
Recalled products
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz)
- UPC: 7874211226
- Package size: 10 oz
- Lot codes: 6 031 01 or 6 041 01 (printed on the front of the package)
- Best if used by: January 31, 2028, or February 10, 2028
Great Value Organic Blueberries (10 oz)
- UPC: 7874211213
- Package size: 10 oz
- Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01, or 6 163 01 (printed on the front of the package)
- Best if used by: January 19, 2028; February 9, 2028; or June 12, 2028
Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend (12 oz)
- UPC: 00977654
- Package size: 12 oz
- Lot code: 6 051 01 (printed on the back of the package)
- Best before: February 20, 2028
Impacted states
Walmart shipped the Great Value berry blend lots to stores in 30 states, as follows:
- 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
- West Virginia
The products were also sold in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Trader Joe’s shipped the Organic Mixed Berry Blend to select stores in 26 states:
- 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
- Wisconsin
The products were also sold in the District of Columbia.
What are the health risks associated with E. coli O145?
The expanded recall announcement states that E. coli O145 can cause severe stomach issues such as cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some infections can lead to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. The note does say that most people should start feeling better within a week, but those with weakened immune systems, as well as children or older adults, may be at higher risk.
What to do if you bought any of these berry blend products
Number one, don’t eat them. If you have eaten any of the products and you experience any symptoms that line up with E. coli O145 infection, call your health care provider.
You can either throw the products away or return them to either Walmart or Trader Joe’s for a full refund. If you have questions, email Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. at [email protected], or call the company at 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET.
