Two More Food Recalls: Frozen Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts Sicken Dozens Across the US

Frozen Organic Blueberries Linked to E coli Infections

Publix has recalled all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries after the products were linked to a multistate outbreak of E coli O145:H28 infections.¹⁴ The recall began on July 3, 2026, covering frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries sourced from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA of San Carlos, Chile, and was expanded on July 29, 2026, to include all GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries out of caution.¹⁵

States affected: The recalled product was distributed to Publix stores in eight states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.¹⁶ Confirmed illnesses, however, have so far been limited to two of those states: Florida (11 cases) and Georgia (1 case).¹⁷

Illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths: As of the latest FDA update, 12 total illnesses have been confirmed, with illness onset dates ranging from May 11 to June 5, 2026.¹⁸ Four of the twelve patients have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.¹⁹ The FDA has classified the recall as Class I, its most serious designation, meaning there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the product could cause serious health consequences or death.²⁰ Of nine patients interviewed by investigators, seven reported eating frozen blueberries, and five specifically recalled buying GreenWise blueberries at Publix.²¹

The FDA has also added products from the Chilean supplier to Import Alert 99-35, allowing future shipments from the company to be detained at the border without physical examination while the investigation continues.²²

Alfalfa Sprouts Associated with E coli and Salmonella Infections

Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts, LLC is voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce containers of alfalfa sprouts, sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, after they were linked to an unusual outbreak involving two different types of bacteria — Shiga toxin-producing E coli and Salmonella.²³ The recall covers product distributed since May 27, 2026, to restaurants and grocery stores.²⁴

States affected: The CDC has identified cases in 15 states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington.²⁵ The majority of cases are concentrated in Minnesota, where the grower is based, and Wisconsin.²⁶

Illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths: At least 55 people have gotten sick, including two people infected with both E coli and Salmonella.²⁷ Illness onset dates range from May 31 to August 8, 2026.²⁸ Four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.²⁹ In Minnesota alone, health officials tied 23 illnesses to the outbreak between July 8 and August 8, including three Salmonella cases (one of which also involved a strain of E coli known as STEC O168:H8), seven cases of STEC O103:H25, and 13 cases of STEC O26:H11.³⁰ Of 34 people interviewed nationally, 26 (76%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts before falling ill.³¹

Investigators noted that a prior FDA warning letter had flagged sanitation concerns at the Everything Sprouts facility, including a leaking roof dripping water onto bean sprouts and employees' smocks.³² Consumers and retailers are advised not to eat, sell, or serve any alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco or Everything Sprouts brands, and to wash and sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the product.³³

References

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2. E coli outbreak linked to frozen blueberries. CDC. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/blueberries-07-26/index.html

3. FDA upgrades recall of frozen blueberries sold at Publix to highest health risk level. CBS News. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blueberry-recall-fda-class-1-risk/

4. FDA upgrades recall of frozen berries to highest-risk warning. Washington Post. Published August 20, 2026. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/20/fda-upgrades-recall-frozen-berries-highest-risk-warning/

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14. Everything Sprouts, LLC Recalls Alfalfa Sprouts Due to Potential E Coli and Salmonella Risk. FDA. August 21, 2026. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/everything-sprouts-llc-recalls-alfalfa-sprouts-due-potential-e-coli-and-salmonella-risk

15. Outbreak Investigation of Shiga Toxin-producing E coli and Salmonella: Sprouts (August 2026). FDA. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-shiga-toxin-producing-e-coli-salmonella-sprouts-august-2026 16. CBS News.

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