A frozen fruit recall is prompting Publix shoppers across the Southeast to take a closer look at their freezers. A supplier has recalled select 10-ounce bags of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries because of possible E. coli contamination, and the affected product may still be sitting in home freezers due to its long shelf life.
The recall was issued by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. and applies to one specific lot of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries sold at Publix. Publix said the company and the supplier have received 12 reports of consumers experiencing stomach illness linked with E. coli infections between May 11 and June 5, 2026.
The affected blueberries were sold in Publix stores across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Customers who bought the recalled product on or before July 3, 2026, are advised not to eat it.
In the official Publix recall notice, the company advised shoppers to discard the product immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The recalled blueberries are tied to one lot code
This is not a blanket recall of every blueberry product sold at Publix. The warning applies to a specific frozen organic blueberry item, which means customers should check the packaging details rather than relying only on the product name.
| Recalled product | Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries |
| Package size | 10 ounces |
| Supplier | Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. |
| Lot code | 60401 |
| Best-by date | February 9, 2028 |
| Sold at | Publix stores |
| Purchase date guidance | Purchased on or before July 3, 2026 |
| Recall reason | Possible E. coli contamination |
Publix said no other lot codes or best-by dates are affected. For shoppers, the most important step is to match both the lot code and best-by date before deciding whether a bag should be discarded or returned.
Where the recalled blueberries were sold
The recalled 10-ounce Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries were sold in Publix stores in eight states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
The geographic scope matters because Publix has a large presence across the Southeast, and frozen fruit is commonly purchased for smoothies, school snacks, baking and breakfast meals. A customer may not remember the exact purchase date, so the package details are the most reliable way to identify whether the item is included.
Why this recall matters now
Fresh produce recalls often get attention quickly because the food is consumed within days. Frozen produce is different. A bag of frozen blueberries can stay in a freezer long after the original shopping trip, especially when the best-by date is far in the future.
In this recall, the affected product has a best-by date of February 9, 2028. That means consumers could reasonably assume the blueberries are still safe unless they see the recall notice and check the lot code.
The reported illness window also adds urgency. Publix said 12 reports of stomach illness linked with E. coli infections were received between May 11 and June 5, 2026. Because E. coli symptoms can appear days after exposure, consumers may not immediately connect an illness to a frozen food item eaten earlier.
What shoppers should do if they have the product
Customers should remove any 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries from the freezer and check the package label. If the bag shows lot code 60401 and a best-by date of February 9, 2028, it should not be eaten.
Publix advises customers to discard the recalled blueberries or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers should not try to wash, cook, blend or bake the recalled berries to make them safe.
Anyone with questions can contact the supplier by phone at 336-899-5612 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or by email at info.foodsafety@comfrut.com.
What E. coli is and why food recalls mention it
Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli, is a group of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Many forms are harmless, but certain strains can cause illness when they contaminate food, water or surfaces.
Food-related E. coli infections usually affect the digestive system. Some cases may be mild, while others can become serious, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant people and individuals with weakened immune systems.
That is why food safety officials treat potential contamination seriously even when a product looks, smells and tastes normal. Consumers cannot reliably identify E. coli contamination by sight.
Symptoms consumers should watch for
Common E. coli infection symptoms can include watery diarrhea, sometimes bloody diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, low fever, loss of appetite and fatigue.
Symptoms may appear two to eight days after exposure. People who ate the recalled blueberries and later develop severe stomach illness, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, persistent vomiting or worsening symptoms should seek medical advice.
Households should be especially cautious if the recalled berries were served to children, older relatives or anyone with a higher risk of complications.
How this recall fits into wider grocery safety checks
The Publix blueberry recall is another reminder that food safety alerts do not always involve obvious changes in taste, smell or packaging. In some cases, the only way to identify a recalled product is by checking the lot code, best-by date or allergen label.
Recent grocery recalls have involved both contamination risks and undeclared allergens. For example, an ALDI kimbap recall over undeclared tuna showed how a product can appear normal while still posing a risk to certain consumers.
For frozen foods, a practical habit is to check recall notices before using older products that have been stored for weeks or months. Keeping the original packaging until the product is finished also helps because recall details are usually tied to lot codes and best-by dates printed on the label.
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Safe handling after finding recalled blueberries
If the recalled bag is found at home, keep it sealed and avoid pouring the berries into another container. If berries or juice have spilled, clean the freezer area, surfaces and any utensils that may have touched the product.
After handling the recalled package, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. If the product was already served to someone outside the household, let them know about the recall so they can monitor for symptoms.
The key details for shoppers are the product name, package size, lot code and best-by date: 10-ounce Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, lot code 60401, best by February 9, 2028. If those details match, the product should not be eaten.
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