FDA upgrades Publix frozen berry recall to Class 1 risk level

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The agency classified the GreenWise organic blueberry and mixed berry recall as Class 1, the level reserved for products that may cause serious harm or death

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Publix's recall of frozen GreenWise organic blueberries and mixed berries has been upgraded by the Food and Drug Administration to a Class 1 designation, its highest risk classification, according to CBS News. Under FDA definitions, a Class 1 recall applies when the agency determines that consuming or otherwise encountering a violative product carries a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death.

Publix announced the recall on July 29, covering all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries in 10-ounce and 48-ounce sizes. The products may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli, the company said. The recalled products were shipped to Publix retail stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.