Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5
FDA Raises Frozen Berry E. Coli Cases to 17, With 6 Hospitalizations
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5

FDA Raises Frozen Berry E. Coli Cases to 17, With 6 Hospitalizations

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5

Summary

  • Seventeen people in Florida and Georgia have now been sickened in the outbreak, with illnesses reported from May 11 to Aug. 2 and no deaths reported.
  • The FDA tied the cases to recalled frozen blueberries and mixed berries after a July outbreak investigation, and on Wednesday the Chilean supplier expanded its recall to include one lot of Great Value organic mixed berries sold at Walmart.
  • The newly added Walmart product was sold in 10-ounce packages with lot code 6040 01-6 and a best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028.
  • Publix had already recalled GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, and the affected products were distributed across 19 states.
  • The FDA told consumers not to eat, sell or serve the recalled berries, and to discard them or return them for a refund if found in home freezers.

Insights

With illnesses starting in May, why did it take until September to fully recall these frozen berries across 19 states?
Since two sickened patients never ate the recalled blueberries, could another contaminated ingredient still be slipping past food safety inspectors?
Could the dangerous E. coli strain found in these Chilean berries be lurking in other frozen foods sitting in your freezer right now?