October Food Recall Roundup: Expanded Frozen Berry Recall at Walmart and Trader Joe's, 122,000 Cases of Gatorade Pulled
In the first week of October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a string of food recalls, several involving brands popular with Chinese American households. According to the FDA recall tracker Recall Bench and Simply Recipes' October 10 report, frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's were pulled in an expanded E. coli recall, more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade were recalled over undeclared food coloring, and Walmart's private-label pasta was recalled over listeria risk. The FDA urges consumers to check their freezers.
The biggest headline is the frozen berry recall. In an October 2 notice, the FDA said Chilean grower Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded its recall of three frozen organic berry products — Great Value Organic Blueberries, Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (sold at Walmart), and Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend — over potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its outbreak page on October 5, it noted the outbreak had been declared over on September 21 — 17 people sickened in Florida and Georgia between May 11 and August 2, six hospitalized, no deaths — but added that "additional recalls occurred after this investigation was closed." Notably, the recalled bags carry best-by dates running into 2028: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10-oz bags (UPC 7874211226, lots 6 031 01 and 6 041 01) are dated January 31 and February 10, 2028; Great Value Organic Blueberries 10-oz bags (UPC 7874211213) run to June 12, 2028; Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend 12-oz bags (UPC 00977654, lot 6 051 01) are dated February 20, 2028. The products were sold at Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico, and at Trader Joe's stores in 26 states and Washington, D.C. The CDC warns that frozen berries keep for years, so bags bought months ago and still in the freezer may be affected.
E. coli O145 can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and vomiting; young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems risk hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication.
The other major recall involves Gatorade. Citing an FDA notice, KATU reported October 5 that more than 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade bottles — Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, and Orange Zero — were recalled because they may contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 coloring not declared on the label. The drinks were shipped to 37 states, including California, with lot dates from April to June 2027.
Separately, Walmart's private brand Bettergoods frozen pasta (Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, 22 oz, UPC 194346442706) was expanded to all lots on October 1 after listeria was detected, manufacturer Gias Foods said (USA Today, October 2). On October 9 the FDA also announced recalls of Starfish Seafood cold smoked salmon, halibut and trout (listeria risk), Riad's baba ghanouj and hummus (undeclared sesame allergen), and Gardeners Basics broccoli sprouting seeds (salmonella risk).
The FDA advises: do not eat the affected products; return them to the store for a full refund. Questions about the berry recall can go to [email protected] or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. (Sources: FDA, CDC, USA Today, Simply Recipes)
Source: FDA、CDC
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 冷冻蓝莓资料图，Ruth Hartnup 摄，CC BY 2.0（Wikimedia Commons）
