Walmart's Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend has been pulled from freezer cases across 16 states, marking the latest expansion of a recall tied to an ongoing multistate E. coli outbreak. On September 2, 2026, Chile-based supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. broadened an earlier recall to include a single lot of the 10-ounce berry mix after potential contamination with Escherichia coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli that can cause serious, sometimes severe, illness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted the company's announcement on September 3, urging shoppers to check their freezers and either throw the berries away or return them to Walmart for a full refund. No illnesses have been tied to this specific Great Value lot so far, but the action follows traceback information connected to a broader frozen-blueberry outbreak that has already sickened at least 17 people.
What's Being Recalled and Where It Was Sold
The affected item is one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, a mix of organic strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries packaged in 10-ounce bags. Consumers can identify the recalled product by its UPC code 7874211226, the lot code 6040 01-6 printed on the front of the package, and a best-if-used-by date of February 9, 2028.
Those bags were shipped to select Walmart stores in 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. Only this single lot is affected, and no other Great Value products are part of the recall.
The supplier, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, described the move as a precautionary market action based on traceback information from a prior recall. Consumers with questions can reach the company at [email protected] or 336-899-5612.
Timeline: How the Frozen Berry Recall Unfolded
The Walmart recall is the third step in a chain that began earlier this summer, all connected to frozen organic berries from the same producer.
- July 3, 2026: Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. first recalled Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries in 10-ounce bags, distributed to Publix stores in eight states.
- July 29, 2026: Publix expanded the recall to cover all lots of its GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.
- September 2, 2026: The supplier expanded the recall again to include the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart across 16 states.
The FDA later classified the earlier Publix berry recall as Class I, its most serious recall category, which is used when there is a reasonable probability that exposure to a recalled product could cause serious health consequences or death. As of early September, the newly recalled Great Value berries had not yet received that classification.
Why E. coli O145 Matters for Your Health
E. coli O145:H28 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can trigger severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after exposure, though the FDA notes they can appear anywhere from a few days up to nine days after eating contaminated food. While most healthy people recover within five to seven days without treatment, some infections progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney complication that can lead to kidney failure, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the broader frozen-blueberry outbreak has reached 17 confirmed cases and six hospitalizations, with no deaths reported. Cases are concentrated in two states, Florida and Georgia. The latest CDC update, published September 3, 2026, added five new cases and two new hospitalizations, a sign that the investigation is still active and the case count could continue to grow.
For health-conscious shoppers, the recall is a reminder that even nutrient-dense staples deserve a quick safety check. Frozen berries remain a convenient way to add fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants to smoothies, oatmeal, and yogurt, but the guidance from regulators is clear: if a bag matches the recall details, it should not be eaten, even if it looks and smells fine.
Where Things Stand Now
As of early September 2026, the CDC's investigation into the frozen-blueberry E. coli outbreak remains open, and the recall is still in effect. Because no illnesses have been tied to the Great Value lot specifically, the company has framed the action as precautionary. Regulators are continuing to trace the source of the contamination, and additional products could be pulled from shelves if the investigation widens.
What to Do If You Have These Berries
If you find a bag of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend matching the recalled lot, the FDA says not to eat it. Throw it away or return it to Walmart for a full refund. If you froze the berries without their original packaging and can't confirm whether they're part of the recall, the FDA advises discarding them anyway. The CDC also recommends washing any items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled berries with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
Seek medical care right away if you develop severe symptoms after eating frozen berries, including a fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than three days, bloody diarrhea, vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration such as infrequent urination, dry mouth and throat, or dizziness when standing up.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
- Walmart's Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz) was recalled September 2, 2026, in 16 states over potential E. coli O145 contamination.
- Check packages for UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6, and a best-by date of February 9, 2028.
- The recall is tied to a broader frozen-blueberry outbreak with 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations in Florida and Georgia.
- Do not eat recalled berries — discard them or return them to Walmart for a full refund.
