If you have frozen berries in your freezer right now, it's worth checking the bag. The FDA has expanded a recall to include a Walmart store-brand product, after an E. coli outbreak linked to frozen fruit has already sent six people to the hospital.
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What Product Is Affected?
The recall covers a specific lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, a frozen fruit mix sold at Walmart containing strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Here are the exact details to check against your package:
- Product: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, frozen, 10 oz bag
- UPC: 078742112268
- Lot code: 6040 01-6 (printed on the front of the package)
- Best-if-used-by date: February 9, 2028
The product is manufactured by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., based in San Carlos, Chile.
Which States Are Affected?
The recalled berries were 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.
If you live in or near any of these states and have purchased frozen berries from Walmart recently, it's worth checking your freezer even if you don't remember the exact product.
What Happened: The Full Timeline
This recall didn't start with Walmart. It began in July 2026, when Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur first recalled a lot of GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries sold through Publix, after an E. coli outbreak. At that point, 12 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations had been linked to the product.
On September 2, 2026, the company expanded the recall to include the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart, after the FDA's traceback investigation identified an additional affected lot. The FDA published the official notice on September 3.
As of the latest update, 17 people across Florida and Georgia have been confirmed infected with the outbreak strain, with 6 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. The FDA says illnesses began between May 11 and August 2026, and the investigation remains ongoing — meaning these numbers could still change.
E. Coli Symptoms to Watch For
The contamination involves E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain. Common symptoms include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever
Symptoms typically appear 3 to 4 days after exposure. In more serious cases, this strain can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney complication that requires immediate medical attention — this is more common in young children and older adults.
What to Do If You Have This Product
According to the FDA, if you have the recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend:
- Do not eat it, even if some of it has already been consumed without issue
- Throw it away, or return it to Walmart for a refund
- If the berries have already been removed from their original packaging and you can't confirm the lot code, the FDA recommends throwing them away to be safe
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have touched the affected berries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as the earlier blueberry recall?
It's connected. The original recall in July covered GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries sold through Publix. The September recall expands this to a different product — Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend — sold at Walmart, from the same manufacturer.
How do I check if my berries are affected?
Look for the exact lot code 6040 01-6 printed on the front of the bag, along with the UPC 078742112268 and best-by date of February 9, 2028. If your package doesn't match these details, it is not part of this specific recall.
What should I do if I already ate the recalled berries?
Monitor yourself for E. coli symptoms like severe cramps, diarrhea, or fever over the next several days. If symptoms develop, especially bloody diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider promptly.
Has anyone died from this outbreak?
As of the latest FDA update, no deaths have been reported. Six hospitalizations have been confirmed out of 17 known illnesses.
