Check Your Freezer: GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries (10 oz) Recall (Possible E. coli O145)
If you keep frozen blueberries on hand, this is a quick freezer check worth doing today. The FDA is warning that certain GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries (10 oz) may be contaminated with E. coli O145. The right next step depends on matching the lot/batch code and best-by date listed on your package to the identifiers in the official recall notice.
What product is being recalled?
According to the FDA, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. is initiating a recall of:
- Product: GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries
- Pack size: 10 oz
- Issue: Possible contamination with E. coli O145
The key point: not every bag is necessarily affected. Use the package identifiers to confirm.
How to find the lot code and best-by date
Set up on the counter with the package and a phone for a quick photo, so you don’t have to handle it more than once. On frozen packages, product identifiers are commonly printed on the front, back, or side panel. Look for:
- Lot/batch code (sometimes printed as “Lot,” “Lot Code,” or a code near the date)
- Best-by date (the “best by” or “use by” style date format used on the bag)
Important: Match both the lot code/batch identifier and the best-by date to the details provided by the FDA. If either one doesn’t match, follow the guidance based on the recall’s specific identifier list (don’t guess).
What to do if your identifiers match
If your lot code and best-by date match those listed in the FDA recall notice, do not eat the berries.
Instead, follow the consumer action instructions in the FDA notice:
- Discard the product and any packaging that clearly identifies it, or
- Return it as directed in the notice (for example, keeping proof of purchase if the notice asks for it)
If you are returning the product, it can help to take a quick photo of the lot code/best-by date before you remove the rest from your freezer.
What if someone already ate the berries?
If you already served or ate these frozen blueberries, don’t panic—but do take it seriously. The best move is to contact a healthcare professional for personalized guidance, especially if anyone develops concerning symptoms.
When you call, have the following ready:
- The product name and pack size (10 oz)
- The lot code and best-by date
- Approximate timing of when the berries were eaten
For your household, keep the remaining recalled package (if you still have it) so you can confirm the exact identifiers.
Kitchen cleanup: keep it calm and prevent cross-contamination
While the discard/return step is the priority, it helps to manage cross-contamination during your freezer check:
- Separate the recalled berries and any juices or drips from other frozen foods.
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling the recalled package.
- Wipe down surfaces that touched the package (countertops, freezer bins, sink areas used for rinsing, etc.).
- Sanitize with a household disinfectant appropriate for food-contact areas, following the product label instructions.
- If you used utensils (scoop, spoon, tongs), wash them thoroughly with hot soapy water.
Then go back to your normal freezer habits—just without that affected bag.
Where to read the official details
The FDA’s recall notice is the source to follow for the exact lot/batch identifiers and consumer instructions. For background on FDA’s investigation related to E. coli in frozen blueberries, you can also review the FDA’s outbreak investigation page.
Quick closing checklist
- Find the GreenWise Organic IQF Frozen Blueberries (10 oz) in your freezer.
- Check the lot code and best-by date on the bag.
- If they match the FDA-listed identifiers, discard or return as instructed.
- If anyone ate them, contact a healthcare professional for guidance and keep the product details handy.
- Clean and sanitize surfaces that may have been touched during the check.
