Walmart recalls Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend over potential E. coli contamination: What consumers should know

Walmart Expands Recall of Organic Frozen Berry Blend Over Possible E. coli Risk

Theindiapostdaily.com – Shoppers in 16 states are being urged to examine frozen food supplies after Walmart expanded a recall involving a Great Value organic berry product that may be contaminated with a harmful strain of E. coli.

The affected item is the 10-ounce package of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, which contains strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA of San Carlos, Chile, expanded the recall after concerns emerged about possible Escherichia coli O145:H28 contamination, also known as E. coli O145.

The product was sold at selected Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. People who purchased frozen berries in those states should check the package details before using the product in smoothies, desserts or other foods.

How to identify the recalled package

Only a specific lot of the frozen berry blend is included in the recall. Consumers should look for the UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6 and a “Best If Used By” date of February 9, 2028. The lot code appears on the front of the package.

Customers with a matching package should not eat the berries. The company has advised consumers to discard the product or bring it back to Walmart for a full refund. No illnesses tied specifically to this recalled berry lot have been identified at this time.

The action is precautionary and follows traceability information connected to an earlier recall. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA is working with customers and relevant regulatory agencies during the recall process.

Why E. coli O145 is a concern

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, often referred to as STEC. While many forms of E. coli are harmless, STEC infections can cause serious gastrointestinal illness. Possible symptoms include intense stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and diarrhea that may become bloody.

Many otherwise healthy people recover in roughly a week. However, infection can occasionally result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a severe complication that can affect the kidneys. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious outcomes.

Anyone who has consumed the recalled product and develops concerning symptoms should consider seeking medical advice, particularly if symptoms are severe, persistent or include bloody diarrhea. Keeping the package information may also be useful when discussing possible exposure with a health professional.

Separate federal investigation focuses on broccoli sprouts

The berry recall comes amid other foodborne illness investigations involving fresh produce in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration is examining a multistate salmonella outbreak that may be linked to broccoli sprouts.

Twenty-two salmonella cases have been identified in four states, and two people have required hospitalization. No deaths have been linked to that outbreak. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts of Moyie Springs, Idaho, was the common grower of broccoli sprouts eaten by people who became ill.

Evergreen Fresh Sprouts began recalling broccoli sprouts on September 4 after Montana officials found salmonella in a tested sample. Of 19 people interviewed during the investigation, all said they had eaten sprouts, while 17 specifically identified broccoli sprouts.

Health authorities have told consumers, retailers and restaurants not to eat, sell or serve the recalled broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts. Salmonella can lead to food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.

Federal authorities are also continuing work on a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak associated with lettuce, as well as salmonella outbreaks involving jalapeños and alfalfa sprouts. These investigations underline why product codes, dates and recall notices matter: food items may remain in home refrigerators or freezers long after purchase.

What consumers can do now

Consumers who have the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend should compare every identifying detail on the package rather than relying only on the product name. Similar berry products, different sizes or lots with different codes are not automatically part of this recall.

Checking freezers promptly is especially important because frozen products can be stored for months or years. A package matching UPC 7874211226, lot 6040 01-6 and the February 9, 2028 date should be removed from use and either thrown away or returned for reimbursement.

Food recalls do not necessarily mean that every package is contaminated, but they are intended to prevent potential illness when a safety concern cannot be ruled out. Careful attention to the listed lot information helps consumers take the appropriate step without discarding products that are not affected.