Berry E. coli Recall Expands to Walmart’s Great Value Product in 16 States, Says FDA

While most of us spent some time this summer trying to keep track of the latest vegetables affected by the Cyclospora outbreak, there was another under-the-radar produce problem happening.

Back on July 29, Publix announced a berries recall for all lots of its GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries. Though consumers likely thought they were in the clear if they hadn't recently shopped at the popular Southern chain, news today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to say, "Not so fast"—especially since a Walmart product is now involved.

The latest berry recall details

In a notice dated September 2 and published September 3, the FDA says that a Chilean company, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A, is now expanding its previous recall of "frozen organic IQF blueberries to include one lot of Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 OZ because of potential contamination with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145)."

The recall expansion now covers 10-ounce packages of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (Including Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries), shipped to "select Walmart stores" in the following 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Other product details include:

• UPC: 7874211226

• Package size: 10 ounces (oz.)

• Lot Code: 6040 01-6 (in front of the package)

• Best If Used By Date: February 9, 2028

What should you do?

Though the Great Value product notice says "no illnesses associated with this specific product" have been reported, a total of 17 people have been infected a particular strain of E. coli related to this larger berries outbreak, according to a linked FDA outbreak page . "Eleven of 13 (85%) cases interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries. There have been six hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported," says a September 3 update.

The FDA is warning consumers who have the product with the matching lot code to "not consume it." Instead, it's recommended that the affected product is either thrown out or returned to a Walmart location "for a full refund."

E. coli infection symptoms to watch for may include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, or diarrhea. The FDA also warns that some infections can turn serious.

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