The US Food and Drug Administration has raised the risk level of an ongoing recall of organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix stores to its highest classification. The Class I designation means there is a “reasonable probability” that consuming the recalled products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The recall, which began in late June and was expanded in late July, involves GreenWise organic frozen whole blueberries and mixed berries that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The CDC said the outbreak linked to the frozen berries had sickened 12 people in two states, including four who were hospitalized, as of July 30.

The recall affects all lots of GreenWise organic frozen whole blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The recalled products include GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries in 10-ounce packages with UPC 41415-06453 and 48-ounce packages with UPC 41415-12053. GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries were also recalled in 10-ounce packages with UPC 41415-06753 and 48-ounce packages with UPC 41415-12153.

Another recalled product is GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, 10-ounce, with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028.

Publix initiated the recall after supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled one lot of frozen organic GreenWise blueberries that had been shipped to Publix stores. After additional epidemiological data was collected, Publix expanded its recall to include more types and sizes of frozen berries.

E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness, with common symptoms including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody and vomiting. Symptoms typically appear within three to four days after eating contaminated food.

While otherwise healthy adults often recover without treatment, the infection can cause serious complications in young children, older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems. In some cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause kidney failure.

The recalled berries were removed from Publix stores as of late June 2026, but they may still be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers should not eat the recalled products and should either discard them or return them to Publix for a full refund.