Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay residents who shop at Publix should check their freezers: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assigned its most serious risk classification to a recall covering GreenWise frozen berries sold across Florida and seven other states.

The Class I designation, issued Aug. 18, means the agency believes the products carry "a reasonable probability" of causing serious health consequences or death, USA Today reported. The contamination involves E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain linked to 12 illnesses and four hospitalizations in Florida and Georgia. No deaths have been reported.

Eleven of the 12 cases occurred in Florida. Illnesses began between May 11 and June 5.

Four Products Recalled Across All Lots

Four GreenWise products are recalled across all lots:

  • GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10 ounces (UPC 41415-06453)
  • GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48 ounces (UPC 41415-12053)
  • GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10 ounces (UPC 41415-06753)
  • GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48 ounces (UPC 41415-12153)

Because the recall covers all lots, bags purchased months ago could still be in home freezers. The FDA also advises discarding berries transferred to unmarked containers if their origin cannot be confirmed.

Recall Widened After Traceback Findings

The Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. first recalled a single lot of 10-ounce blueberries on July 3 after the Florida Department of Health flagged a cluster of E. coli O145 cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 1. That initial recall involved lot code 60401 with a Feb. 9, 2028, best-by date.

Publix expanded the recall to all lots of all four products on July 29 after FDA traceback records raised concerns about additional contamination.

Publix said in its July 29 recall notice that it had pulled the products from shelves at the end of June and that they remain unavailable for sale, according to WFLA.

The FDA has since placed the Chilean supplier on Import Alert 99-35, meaning its frozen blueberries may be detained at the U.S. border without physical examination, according to the agency's outbreak investigation page.

How to Handle Recalled Berries

Residents who find any of the four products in their freezer should throw them away or return them to any Publix location for a full refund. Surfaces that contacted the berries should be cleaned and sanitized.

Symptoms of E. coli O145 infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. They can appear a few days after eating contaminated food or up to nine days later. Some infections can cause bloody diarrhea and kidney damage. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face greater risk of serious illness.

Anyone with symptoms after eating recalled berries should contact a health care provider. The FDA's investigation remains ongoing.