Check Your Freezer: Great Value and Trader Joe’s Frozen Berries Recalled Over E. coli Risk
Consumers who keep frozen organic berries in their freezers are being urged to check their packages carefully. Several frozen berry products sold under the Great Value and Trader Joe’s brands have been recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli O145:H28, a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli that can cause serious illness.
The latest recall expansion was announced on Oct. 2, 2026, by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a Chile-based company that supplies frozen fruit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the company's recall notice the same day. The action adds several product lots to earlier recalls involving frozen organic blueberries and berry blends.
Consumers who have the affected products should not eat them. According to the FDA, recalled products can be thrown away or returned to the retailer for a full refund.
Which Frozen Berry Products Are Recalled?
The newest recall affects three products sold through Walmart and Trader Joe’s stores. Consumers should compare the package size, UPC number, lot code, and date printed on their bags before deciding whether a product is part of the recall.
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend
The recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend comes in a 10-ounce package and contains strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
Affected packages have:
- UPC: 7874211226
- Lot codes: 6 031 01 and 6 041 01
- Best If Used By dates: Jan. 31, 2028, and Feb. 10, 2028
The recalled Great Value products were distributed to select Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico. The states listed by the FDA include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
Great Value Organic Blueberries
Another affected product is Great Value Organic Blueberries, sold in 10-ounce bags.
Consumers should check for:
- UPC: 7874211213
- Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01, and 6 163 01
- Best If Used By dates: Jan. 19, 2028, Feb. 9, 2028, and June 12, 2028
These products are also included in the expanded recall because of the potential presence of E. coli O145:H28.
Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend
The recall also covers one lot of Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend.
The affected product information is:
- Package size: 12 ounces
- UPC: 00977654
- Lot code: 6 051 01
- Best Before date: Feb. 20, 2028
The recalled Trader Joe’s product was distributed to select stores in 26 states and Washington, D.C.
Why Were the Frozen Berries Recalled?
The products were recalled because of possible contamination with Escherichia coli O145:H28, commonly referred to as E. coli O145.
E. coli is a group of bacteria that includes many harmless strains, but certain types can cause foodborne illness. The O145 strain identified in this recall is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. These infections can cause severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea that may become bloody, vomiting, and other symptoms.
The latest recall is an expansion of earlier actions involving frozen organic berries from the same supplier. The company initially recalled certain frozen organic blueberries on July 3, 2026. Additional Great Value products were added in September, and the Oct. 2 announcement expanded the recall again.
The FDA has also been investigating an E. coli O145:H28 outbreak associated with frozen organic blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Earlier updates from the agency reported illnesses in Florida and Georgia and said the investigation was continuing.
What Are the Symptoms of E. coli Infection?
E. coli symptoms can vary depending on the strain. According to the CDC, common symptoms of diarrheal E. coli infections include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which can be watery or bloody. Some people may also experience vomiting or fever.
The FDA says symptoms associated with the outbreak strain can begin several days after exposure. Its frozen blueberry investigation notes that symptoms can appear a few days after eating contaminated food and, in some cases, as late as nine days afterward.
One potentially serious complication of STEC infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome, commonly called HUS. This condition can damage the kidneys and may cause long-term health problems. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are among those who can face a higher risk of serious complications.
Anyone who develops concerning symptoms after eating a recalled product should contact a healthcare professional. The CDC recommends medical attention for symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, significant fever, dehydration, or signs associated with HUS.
What Should Consumers Do With Recalled Berries?
If you find one of the recalled Great Value or Trader Joe’s products in your freezer, do not eat it, even if the berries look or smell normal.
Instead, consumers should:
- Stop eating the product immediately.
- Check the lot code and date against the FDA recall information.
- Dispose of the recalled berries or return them to Walmart or Trader Joe’s for a refund.
- Clean surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the recalled product.
- Monitor for symptoms if someone in the household has already eaten the recalled berries.
The FDA has specifically advised consumers not to eat recalled frozen berry products and recommends cleaning and sanitizing surfaces or containers that the products may have touched to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.
Recall Questions and Consumer Contact Information
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. said it is working with regulators and customers regarding the recall.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the company at Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
Because recall information can change as regulators receive additional information, consumers should rely on current FDA announcements when checking whether a product is affected.
The Bottom Line
The expanded frozen berry recall affects specific lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, Great Value Organic Blueberries, and Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend because of potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination.
The most important step for consumers is to check their freezers and compare their products with the specific UPC numbers, lot codes, package sizes, and dates listed in the recall notice. If a package matches the recalled information, do not consume it.
The FDA's investigation and recall information should be monitored for additional updates because food recalls can expand as investigators trace products through the supply chain.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Recall information can change as investigations continue. Consumers should verify current product information directly with the FDA and the retailer, and anyone experiencing possible symptoms of E. coli infection should contact a qualified healthcare professional.