If you recently bought frozen fruit for your morning smoothies or desserts, you might want to pause before taking another bite. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning following a voluntary recall of a popular Great Value frozen berry blend sold at Walmart stores due to potential E. coli contamination. So how can you tell whether the berries in your freezer are part of the affected batch — and what should you do if they are? Here’s what you need to know before reaching for those berries for your next healthy meal or snack.
FDA recall affects Great Value frozen berries sold at Walmart
Walmart shoppers in 16 states are being warned about a recall involving a popular frozen fruit product that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145 (E. coli O145).
The FDA announced the recall of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend after Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. issued the voluntary recall as a precaution.
The action expands on the company’s previous July recall involving Publix frozen blueberries and mixed berries. Unlike the Publix products, however, the recalled Walmart berries have not been linked to any reported illnesses.
How to identify the affected Great Value berries
The recall is limited to one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend. The frozen fruit is sold in 10-ounce bags and contains a combination of strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
The affected product was sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
If you have a bag of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend at home, check the package for these identifying details:
- UPC: 7874211226
- Lot Code: 6040 01-6
- Best-If-Used-By Date: Feb. 9, 2028
It’s important to note that no other Great Value frozen fruits or lots of the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend are included in the recall.
What Walmart shoppers should do with the recalled berries?
Consumers who discover that they have the affected product should not eat it. Instead, the recalled berries should be thrown away or returned to Walmart for a full refund.
The precautionary recall comes as health officials investigate E. coli concerns connected to another recalled frozen berry product. The Publix berries were linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak that sickened 12 people, four of whom required hospitalization.
There is currently no reported connection between that outbreak and the recalled Great Value berries. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. said it was recalling the Walmart product “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving traceback information.
What are the symptoms of E. coli?
Although the recalled Great Value berries have not been linked to illnesses, people who have eaten the affected product should be aware of possible E. coli symptoms.
An E. coli infection can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. While most healthy people recover from an infection within about a week, some individuals can face more serious complications.
Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially serious complication of E. coli infection.
Anyone experiencing symptoms or concerned about possible exposure should contact a healthcare provider.
For questions about the recall, consumers can contact Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612.
Source:
AllRecipes