The U.S. frozen berry recall expanded for a third time on October 2, sweeping in Walmart's Great Value store brand and Trader Joe's. The contamination traces back to a Chilean supplier and involves Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145:H28. USA Today, Fox Business, and other outlets report the move as the latest chapter in an outbreak investigation that has stretched for months — even though the CDC declared the outbreak over on September 21.
The newly recalled products are Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz (UPC 7874211226), and Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz (UPC 7874211213), shipped to Walmart stores in 30 states plus Puerto Rico; and Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 oz (UPC 00977654), shipped to stores in 26 states plus Washington, D.C. According to Food Safety News, this is the third expansion since the first recall on July 3 — which covered Publix's GreenWise blueberries — and the fourth recall action in roughly three months.
FDA and CDC investigators traced the contamination to Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile. The strain is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145:H28. CDC data show the outbreak sickened 17 people and hospitalized 6 between May 11 and August 2, 2026, with cases in Florida and Georgia and no deaths. Notably, no new illnesses triggered this expansion: it is a precautionary traceback of existing lots, and because frozen berries keep for so long, affected product may still be in circulation.
Shoppers can check lot codes and best-by dates on their packages. The Walmart Triple Berry Blend lots are 6 031 01 and 6 041 01 (best by January 31 and February 10, 2028); the Blueberries lots are 6 019 01, 6 040 01, and 6 163 01 (best by January 19, February 9, and June 12, 2028); the Trader Joe's Mixed Berry Blend lot is 6 051 01 (best before February 20, 2028). With dates running into mid-2028, the FDA warns the product could still be sitting in home freezers.
The FDA advises consumers not to eat the affected lots: throw them away or return them to the store for a full refund; the supplier can be reached at 336-899-5612. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps, and in severe cases hemolytic uremic syndrome, with young children and older adults at higher risk. Anyone who develops symptoms after eating frozen berries should see a doctor and mention what they ate.