A single contaminated shipment can spread outward the way a stone sends ripples across still water — touching far more than its original point of impact. That's exactly what's happening now, as the Walmart Great Value berry recall widens its reach. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur has expanded its earlier recall to include an additional lot of Great Value Frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend, this time over concerns of possible E. coli O145 contamination.

Where the Affected Product Landed

The recall touches products shipped to select Walmart stores spanning 16 states, turning what might have sounded like a localized concern into a genuinely nationwide alert.

The Details Shoppers Need to Know

Announced Sept. 2, the recall centers on Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, sold in 10-ounce bags containing a mix of strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. The specific lot in question carries UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6, and a "best if used by" date of Feb. 9, 2028 — details shoppers should check carefully against any bags currently sitting in their freezers.

A Trail Leading Back to an Earlier Recall

This expanded action didn't emerge out of nowhere. It stems directly from traceback information tied to a previous recall of frozen organic IQF blueberries from the same company — like pulling one thread and discovering it's connected to a larger, unraveling pattern.

Understanding the Health Risk

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing bacterium, and its effects can range from uncomfortable to genuinely dangerous. Most people who encounter it endure severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting before recovering within about a week. But for vulnerable groups — including young children and older adults — the infection can escalate into hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that raises the stakes considerably.

What to Do With the Product

The recall notice is direct and unambiguous: consumers should either throw the affected product away or return it to Walmart for a full refund. As the notice puts it plainly, "Consumers who have Great Value Organic Triple Berry 10 oz with lot code 6040 01-6 should not consume it."

Where the Product Was Sold

The recalled berries made their way to Walmart stores across a wide swath of the country, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin — a geographic spread that underscores just how far a single supply chain can stretch.

The Company's Response

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur says it's working hand-in-hand with regulatory authorities to get ahead of the issue, while also coordinating with retail customers to make sure the recall message actually reaches the people who need to hear it. Consumers with questions can reach Joshua Weiss at [email protected] or by calling 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

No Illnesses Reported — Yet

So far, the company says it hasn't received any reports of illness connected to the recall, and it isn't currently facing legal action over the matter. Still, organizations like Top Class Actions continue tracking recalls like this closely, given how often contamination scares eventually spiral into class action litigation.

Part of a Broader Pattern at Walmart

This isn't the retailer's only recent brush with a food safety scare. Just last month, Walmart pulled a specific lot of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter from shelves in 19 states after discovering potential salmonella contamination — a reminder that for major retailers with sprawling supply chains, vigilance has to be constant, not occasional.