Before tossing frozen berries into your morning smoothie or oatmeal, you may want to wait. On October 2, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA initiated a recall of berry and blueberry mixes sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s due to potential E. coli contamination, according to an announcement shared by the FDA. This comes on top of two previous recalls from the company earlier this year. Here’s how to determine if your berries have been affected and what to do if they are.
Why were frozen berries recalled?
The frozen berries were potentially contaminated with E. coli 0145, a strain of bacteria that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Although most people recover within a week, the infection can cause serious complications in some people, especially young children and the elderly.
This is not the first time these berries have been recalled. Based in Chile, the manufacturer issued recalls on July 3 and September 3 of this year – which is why this is considered an extension of the recall. This means new information has linked these new batches of berries to the original July recall.
This new recall now includes:
- Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz: These have UPC code 7874211226 and expiration dates if used before January 31, 2028 and February 10, 2028. They have lot codes 6 031 01 and 6 041 01.
- Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz: These have the UPC code 7874211213 and the expiration dates if used before are January 19, 2028, February 9, 2028 and June 12, 2028. The lot codes are 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01.
- Trader Joe’s Organic Berry Blend, 12 oz: These have UPC code 00977654 and a best before date if used before February 20, 2028. Their lot code is 6 051 01.
Great Value berries have been sold in the following 30 states, as well as Puerto Rico:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- new York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
Trader Joe’s berries have been sold in 26 states as well as the District of Columbia:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
What to do if your frozen berries were recalled?
Obviously, don’t eat them. Instead, throw them away or return them to Walmart or Trader Joe’s and you can get a full refund, according to the FDA announcement.
Other Frozen Berries and Cleaning Products to Use Instead
You don’t have to skip frozen berries completely. Other varieties are available, and if you’re concerned, you can clean fresh berries with fruit and vegetable cleaners to feel comfortable. Here’s what we recommend.
This organic berry blend contains a blend of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. It contains no other ingredients and is frozen to better preserve flavor.
We’ve previously recommended this fruit and vegetable cleaner because it’s great for cleaning everything from leafy greens to strawberries. Its blend of water, glycerin, potassium hydroxide, citrus and seed oils, and emulsifying acids like oleic and linoleic acids can help remove the waxy coating on fruit that can harbor contaminants, according to the brand.
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Why trust NBC Selected?
I’m a freelance beauty and wellness writer and editor who’s been covering beauty and health for over a decade. I wrote this story based on information found in an enforcement report released by the FDA.
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