Walmart Expands Great Value Frozen Berry Recall Across 16 States Over E. Coli Risk

A nationwide food safety alert covering 16 states now includes one of the most widely distributed store-brand frozen fruit products in the United States. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. has expanded its ongoing recall to pull specific lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend from Walmart freezer aisles, citing potential contamination with Escherichia coli O145:H28.[1][4]

The expanded recall, announced in early September 2026, specifically targets 48-ounce bags of the Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend distributed to Walmart stores. Consumers are instructed to check the back of the packaging for the lot code and best-by date to determine if their purchase is affected by the pathogen risk.[1][2]

The affected berries were shipped to Walmart retail locations across a massive geographical footprint. The distribution network includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, among others in the Midwest and South.[3][4][6]

The pathogen in question, E. coli O145, is a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. While most healthy adults recover within a week, the infection can lead to a life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.[1][5]

This expansion is part of a broader, ongoing investigation into frozen fruit products sourced from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. The initial recall did not include the Walmart-specific Great Value brand, but subsequent traceability protocols led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the supplier to widen the net to capture the 48-ounce bags.[1][6]

Public health officials are urging consumers to take immediate action if they locate the specific lot code in their freezers. "Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to consume them," the FDA stated in its official recall notice. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund."[1][3]

Because frozen berries are frequently blended into smoothies or used as toppings without a "kill step" like baking or boiling, the risk of transmission remains exceptionally high. The FDA advises anyone who stored the recalled berries in reusable containers to wash those containers thoroughly with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher to prevent cross-contamination.[1][4]

As the FDA continues its traceback investigation, the agency is monitoring the supply chain to ensure all contaminated lots are successfully removed from store shelves. No illnesses have been directly linked to this specific Great Value lot to date, but the incubation period for E. coli can delay symptom onset by up to eight days, meaning the window for reported infections remains open.[1][5]