Frozen Berry E. coli Outbreak Over; Chilean Supplier on Import Alert

The CDC declared the frozen blueberry E. coli O145:H28 outbreak over on September 21, 2026. The contamination sickened 17 consumers across Florida and Georgia, resulting in six hospitalizations. The FDA added products from Chilean exporter Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. to Import Alert 99-35, so its frozen blueberries offered for entry may be detained without physical examination.

Key takeaways:

• The CDC declared the frozen blueberry E. coli O145 outbreak over on September 21, 2026, after 17 cases and 6 hospitalizations in Florida and Georgia.
• Frozen blueberries from Chilean exporter Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. are on FDA Import Alert 99-35 and may be detained without physical examination.
• Retail recalls cover all lots of Publix GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, alongside one specific lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend.
• An organic label describes how fruit was grown; it says nothing about pathogen control.
• Because frozen fruit is frequently added directly to smoothies without cooking, consumers should examine lot codes and freezer inventory carefully.

What happened in the frozen berry E. coli outbreak?

On September 21, 2026, federal public health officials concluded their investigation into an outbreak of Escherichia coli O145:H28 that affected consumers in two southeastern states. According to the CDC blueberry outbreak notice and FDA outbreak investigation records, 17 people became ill between May 11 and August 2, 2026, with cases confirmed in Florida and Georgia. Six people were hospitalised and no deaths were reported.

Epidemiologic interviews conducted by state and federal investigators identified frozen fruit as the primary exposure vehicle. Among 13 case patients who provided detailed food consumption histories, 11 individuals (85 percent) reported eating commercially packaged frozen blueberries prior to experiencing symptoms.

FDA's own product samples tested negative, but one sample collected by Publix tested positive for the outbreak strain. The source was traced to Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile.

What changed under FDA import rules?

The FDA added products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. to Import Alert 99-35. An import alert lets the FDA detain listed products without physically examining them when they are offered for entry, which puts the burden on the importer to show the food is not adulterated.

Two retail recalls are tied to the outbreak. On September 3, 2026, the FDA Great Value berry recall announcement confirmed that Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled one specific lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 oz sold at Walmart, bearing UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6 printed on the package front, and a best-if-used-by date of February 9, 2028. The notice says no illnesses were tied to the Great Value product itself.

Earlier, on July 29, 2026, Publix recalled all lots of its GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries (10 oz and 48 oz), detailed in the FDA Publix berry recall alert. For another imported-produce outbreak this year, see Cyclospora Lettuce Outbreak Over: 12,883 Sick. What FDA Wants Now.

Who is affected across retail channels?

The recalled bags carry best-by dates in 2027 and 2028, so some may still be in home freezers.

The specific products in scope include all lots and package sizes of Publix GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries and Publix GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Mixed Berries. Shoppers who frequent Walmart stores are also affected if they purchased the 10-ounce pouches of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend matching lot code 6040 01-6.

STEC infections can cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea, which may be bloody, and some lead to a serious kidney complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), according to the Publix recall notice. No HUS cases were reported in this outbreak. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are generally at higher risk from foodborne infections.

What it means for shoppers inspecting home freezers?

For grocery shoppers, this outbreak is a reminder that an organic seal describes farming practices, not microbial safety.

Shoppers should inspect freezer stock using specific package details rather than brand names alone. When evaluating frozen fruit packages, look for:

• The country of origin statement on the bag.
• The printed lot code and best-by date (on the recalled Great Value bag, the lot code is on the front).
• Specific package identifiers, such as the recalled Great Value 10 oz Triple Berry Blend with UPC 7874211226 and lot code 6040 01-6.
• Publix GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries: all lots are recalled.

Freezing does not reliably kill bacteria, and frozen berries are often eaten without cooking in smoothies and desserts. Anyone with recalled product should not eat it and should throw it away or return it for a refund.

The background of imported berry pathogens

Escherichia coli bacteria encompass hundreds of distinct strains, the majority of which reside harmlessly in human and animal digestive tracts. However, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) produce potent toxins that damage intestinal lining cells, resulting in painful cramping and severe gastrointestinal illness. While E. coli O157:H7 is the most widely recognized serogroup, non-O157 strains such as E. coli O145 also cause outbreaks.

Globalized food supply chains rely heavily on frozen fruit imported from Southern Hemisphere producers to maintain year-round supermarket availability. Processing facilities wash, sort, and individually quick-freeze (IQF) fruit shortly after harvest. If wash water lacks adequate sanitizer concentration or if agricultural inputs are contaminated, freezing can preserve bacteria rather than kill them.

Because frozen fruit is usually washed and frozen without a kill step such as cooking, controls on the farm and in the packing plant carry most of the weight, and import alerts are the FDA's backstop at the border.

What to watch next for berry supply chains?

With the CDC formally declaring the outbreak over on September 21, 2026, federal attention turns to foreign supplier oversight and border verification. The firm stays on Import Alert 99-35 until the FDA removes it; removal generally requires the firm to show it has fixed the problem.

A clear limitation exists in outbreak tracing: available epidemiological evidence cannot establish the exact agricultural event or water source in San Carlos, Chile, that introduced the bacterium into the harvest.