‘No indication’ U.S. blueberry recall for death risk impacts Canada: CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says “there is no indication” the blueberries and mixed berries in a major U.S. recall over the risk of serious illness and potential death were distributed in Canada.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix grocery stores across the country to a Class 1 recall, the highest health risk level on Tuesday, citing E. coli contamination. Publix initially recalled the affected products on July 29.

The CFIA told Global News in a statement that it is “aware of the outbreak investigation of E. coli Frozen Blueberries in the United States (U.S.),” and “based on the information currently available, there is no indication that the products affected by this recall were distributed in Canada.”

The recalled products are GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries in 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages and GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries in 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages.

Twelve people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported in two states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported.

The products were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Publix also “immediately” implemented an internal stop sale of frozen GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries at the end of June, and the products remain unavailable for purchase.

A Class 1 recall is ” a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.

It is the highest level recall the FDA can issue.

— with a file from Global’s Katherine Ward.