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FDA moves Publix frozen berry E. coli recall to Class I health risk

A Publix grocery store is seen, Aug. 9, 2023, in Neptune Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Long, File)
Mark Long
/
AP
According to the company, there are 63 Publix grocery stores in North Carolina.

Publix has recalled its GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries for possible E. coli contamination.

Products were distributed to eight states across the Southeast, including North Carolina.

The FDA labeled the recall as Class I, meaning there’s a risk of serious health effects or death.

E. coli is a bacterium that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, an infection may lead to kidney failure and other life-threatening conditions. Officials say 12 people have become sick so far — almost all of them in Florida. Four have been hospitalized.

More items could be recalled as authorities continue to investigate the outbreak.

Rachel Moody is from Wake Forest where she got her start in journalism as an intern for The Wake Weekly. Before joining WFDD, she was a reporter and producer for UNC-Chapel Hill’s student radio program Carolina Connection. Rachel’s work has been published by WFAE, WUNC, WRAL and more. In 2026, she was recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards Program for her podcast about body dysmorphia in boys and men. During her college career, she also wrote for The Daily Tar Heel’s opinion desk as an editorial board member and columnist.