Walmart Pulls More Frozen Fruit From Shelves After Blueberry Recall Expands

The FDA’s frozen fruit recall just got bigger. After pulling frozen organic blueberries off shelves in July, regulators have now expanded the alert to include Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, sold at Walmart stores across 16 states. The concern this time is possible contamination with E. coli O145, the same bacteria strain behind the original recall.

Why This Product Was Pulled

The recall traces back to Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., the same company behind July’s blueberry recall. Traceback information from that earlier investigation led the FDA to flag one lot of the Triple Berry Blend as a precaution. So far, no illnesses have been reported tied specifically to this product, but the agency isn’t taking any chances given the strain of bacteria involved.

The Health Risks Behind E. Coli O145

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can trigger some genuinely unpleasant symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may contain blood, and vomiting. Most healthy adults bounce back within about a week without lasting effects.
The bigger concern is for more vulnerable groups. In young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, this type of infection can lead to a serious and potentially life-threatening kidney complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.

How to Check If You Have the Recalled Product

If you’ve got a bag of Great Value berries in your freezer, here’s exactly what to look for:
Product: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries)
UPC code: 7874211226
Package size: 10 oz
Lot code: 6040 01-6 (printed on the front of the bag)
Best if used by: February 9, 2028
Which States Are Affected
The recalled lot was shipped to Walmart stores in 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

What to Do If You Have It

The FDA’s advice here is simple and worth following closely. Check your freezer for a bag matching the UPC and lot code above. If you find one, don’t eat it — either throw it away or bring it back to any Walmart store for a full refund.

Bottom Line

This is now the second product tied to the same supplier’s blueberry contamination issue from earlier this year, and it’s a good reminder to double-check frozen fruit in your freezer against active recall notices. Given how serious E. coli O145 infections can be for young kids and older adults in particular, it’s worth taking a minute to check your lot codes rather than assuming your bag is fine.
Source: Fox Business — “Frozen berry blend sold at Walmart recalled over E. coli contamination risk”