FDA Class I recall: organic frozen blueberries from Chile over potential E. coli O145:H28
The U.S. FDA classified organic frozen whole blueberries shipped by Chile-based Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. as a Class I recall, its most serious category, citing potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28. The recall covers 3,640 cases distributed in Florida.
Recall overview (primary data)
- ClassificationClass I (most serious)
- Product typeFood
- Recalling firmFrutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A.
- ReasonPotential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination
- DistributionFL
- Recall initiated2026-07-03
Key points
- The FDA classified it Class I, its most serious category (H-1181-2026, reported July 22, 2026, status ongoing).
- The recall covers organic frozen whole blueberries in 10 oz bags (8 bags per case), 3,640 cases; lot 6040 01, best by February 9, 2028.
- The stated reason is potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination; O145 is a leading non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) serotype.
- The recalling firm is Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile; distribution was to Florida.
- Freezing halts bacterial growth but does not kill bacteria, and frozen berries are often eaten without a cooking step.
1What O145 is
Most E. coli live harmlessly in the intestines of people and animals, but some strains produce Shiga toxin and are known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). O157 is the best-known example; O145, the strain here, is one of the leading non-O157 serotypes.
These strains are recognized for causing enteritis with severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, and for the possibility of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication affecting kidney function. That potential for severe illness is the background to the FDA's most serious classification, Class I.
2Freezing is not a kill step
That the product is frozen also matters for understanding this case. Freezing preserves quality and halts bacterial growth, but it is not a treatment that kills bacteria already present. Organisms survive in the freezer without multiplying and can grow again once thawed and conditions allow.
Frozen berries are also commonly eaten as they are or blended into smoothies without a cooking step, which leaves a direct route to consumption if bacteria remain.
3A Chilean grower, a Florida market
From a supply chain perspective, the shape of this case is distinctive: the recalling firm is Chilean and the product was distributed in Florida. Because Chile is in the southern hemisphere, its harvest season is offset from the northern hemisphere, making it a supply source that fills gaps in the U.S. market calendar.
For fresh and frozen goods that cross borders, the speed of a recall depends both on growing, harvesting, washing and freezing practices at origin and on traceability after import.
4Why it matters
The quantity is 3,640 cases and distribution is limited to Florida, but frozen goods have a long window before consumption — this product carries a best-by date of February 9, 2028, so it can remain in home freezers for a long time. That is the practical difficulty with recalls in this category, and it is why lot number (6040 01) and best-by date are the reference points for identifying affected product.
Why it matters
Because Chile sits in the southern hemisphere, its harvest season is offset from the north, making it a supply source that fills gaps in the U.S. market calendar. For frozen goods crossing borders, recall speed depends on hygiene control through growing, washing and freezing at origin as well as lot traceability after import. Frozen products carry long best-by dates and linger in home freezers, so notice designs built around lot number and best-by date matter particularly in this category.
FAQ
What kind of bacterium is O145?
Does freezing kill the bacteria?
How is affected product identified?
Sources (primary)
Source: openFDA (U.S. FDA, CC0 public domain). Data is provided as-is and must not be used for medical decisions. Verify the latest and exact details with the official FDA recall information. This site is not endorsed or certified by the U.S. FDA.
- FDA recall information (official)
- openFDA (data provider)
- Recall number: H-1181-2026