Publix frozen blueberry recall upgraded to highest health risk level
Recalled frozen blueberries and mixed berries that could be contaminated with E. coli pose the most severe category of health risk, according to the FDA.
August 19, 2026 / 6:52 PM EDT / CBS News
The Food and Drug Administration upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix grocery stores across the U.S. to the highest health risk level on Tuesday, according to an enforcement report.
Publix on July 29 announced a recall of four varieties of frozen GreenWise organic blueberries and mixed berries sold at stores across eight states over potential E. coli contamination. The FDA is now categorizing it as a "Class 1" recall, which the agency assigns to product recalls "in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
Twelve people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported.
The following products, shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, are under recall. They should be discarded or returned to Publix for a full refund. Their expiration dates are before Feb. 9, 2028.
E. coli, a large group of bacteria, can cause illness characterized by severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the FDA. In severe cases, the bacteria can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and be life-threatening.