A Florida lawsuit alleges that GreenWise frozen blueberries caused a woman’s death. The outbreak linked to the product is confirmed, but the official public health tally records no deaths.
A lawsuit against Publix and distributor Quirch Foods brings the case of recalled GreenWise organic frozen blueberries in the United States to court. According to her family’s account, Karla Mullins allegedly died after consuming the product. The link between consumption and her death constitutes an allegation by the plaintiffs.
The family’s allegations
In the statement from law firm Morgan & Morgan, which represents the family, her death is dated June 20, 2026. The lawsuit concerns blueberries purchased at a Publix store in Largo, Florida. Her son allegedly also consumed the product and was hospitalized. The family is seeking damages from Publix and Quirch Foods.
The official outbreak tally
The CDC confirms that epidemiological, laboratory and traceback data linked the outbreak to organic frozen blueberries supplied by Chilean company Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. A sample of GreenWise blueberries tested by Publix was positive for the same strain of E. coli found in patients.
In its final update of September 21, 2026, the FDA reports 17 cases in two states, six hospitalizations and no reported deaths. The outbreak was declared over. The death at the centre of the lawsuit is therefore not counted in the official tally: the sources consulted do not explain this difference.
The product recall
The initial recall, on July 3, 2026, covered one lot of GreenWise blueberries. On July 29, Publix expanded it to all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, in packs of approximately 283 g and 1.36 kg.
The FDA urges consumers to check for any recalled products still stored in their freezers and discard or return them. The end of the outbreak does not make recalled packs safe to consume.
Italian Berry - All rights reserved
