Publix recalls frozen GreenWise berries over possible E. coli contamination in South Carolina
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County residents who shop at Publix are being urged to check their freezers after the grocery chain announced a recall of selected GreenWise frozen berries because they may be contaminated with E. coli O145, a potentially dangerous strain of bacteria.
The recall affects all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries in both 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages sold at Publix stores in eight states, including South Carolina. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall was expanded July 29 after a public health investigation linked the product to a multi-state outbreak. The affected products were also shipped to stores in Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
As of the FDA’s latest update, 12 illnesses and four hospitalizations have been linked to the outbreak. No deaths have been reported. Most of the confirmed illnesses have occurred in Florida, with one reported case in Georgia. There have been no cases reported in South Carolina as of Sunday, Aug. 2.
The recalled products include all bags sold of the store’s organic brand frozen whole blueberries and whole mixed berries in both the 10-ounce and 48-ounce sized bags, regardless of lot number, and the FDA has advised that consumers should not eat the products, even if they appear normal or have already been frozen for an extended period.
Publix said it removed the berries from store shelves through an internal stop-sale at the end of June, but many customers may still have them stored at home.
Anyone who purchased the recalled products should throw them away or return them to any Publix store for a full refund. They are are also encouraged to wash any items and surfaces that may have touched the berries using hot soapy water.
The recall applies to Publix locations throughout Beaufort County, including the stores at Beaufort Plaza on Robert Smalls Parkway and Lady’s Island, as well as nearby Publix locations in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
According to the CDC’s website, E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain of bacteria that can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting with symptoms beginning about three to four days after swallowing the bacteria. While most healthy adults typically recover within about a week with treatment, the infection can become much more serious for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. In some cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure that requires immediate medical attention.
Additional symptoms to look out for is a fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea for more than three days with no improvement or bloody diarrhea, not being able to keep liquids down due to vomiting or dehydration. Anyone who develops symptoms after eating the recalled berries should contact a healthcare provider. Customers with questions about the recall can also contact Publix Customer Care at 800-242-1227.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
