The CDC has declared an end to an outbreak on E. coli O145:H28 infections traced to frozen blueberries from Chile.
The blueberries, and berry mixes containing them, were sold under the Walmart’s Great Value brand and the GreenWise brand at Publix. The berries were imported from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile.
A total of 17 confirmed patients were infected in Florida and Georgia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illnesses began on dates ranging from May 11 through Aug. 2. Six patients were hospitalized but no one died.
Eleven of 13 patients interviewed reported eating frozen blueberries before becoming sick.
There are likely many more outbreak patients because some do not seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for E. coli infection. The CDC estimates that for every confirmed patient in an E. coli outbreak there are 26 who go undetected.
As part of this investigation, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a remote inspection of Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. and collected records from the firm. The FDA also collected finished product samples of product in the United States. All samples collected by the FDA were reported as negative; however, earlier in the investigation, Publix, as a customer of Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile, collected and tested product samples of their GreenWise-brand Frozen Blueberries, and one sample tested positive for the same strain of E. coli that made people sick in this outbreak.
Publix recalled all of their Greenwise-brand organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries, and they should no longer be available for sale. In response to the FDA’s investigation, on July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. recalled one lot of frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries. On Sept. 2, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded their recall to include one lot of Great Value-brand Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend product.
Recalled products should no longer be available for sale; however, some recalled product has “Best By” dates ending in 2028. Consumers should check their freezers for recalled product and should not eat it.
The FDA has added products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A, of San Carlos, Chile to Import Alert 99-35. Frozen blueberries from this firm that are offered for entry into the United States may be detained at the border without physical examination. FDA’s outbreak investigation is complete.
About E. coli infections
Food contaminated with E. coli does not look, smell or taste bad, but can still cause serious illness
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled berries and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.
About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor.
Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients.
People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.
