Smoothie berries in the freezer? Check Great Value lot 6040 01-6 before using them

Fresh recalls often feel urgent because the product is on the counter or in the fridge. Frozen recalls can be easier to miss because the product may be buried behind vegetables, ice packs or half-used bags of fruit.

That is why the most useful question is simple: do you have Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend lot 6040 01-6 in your freezer?

If you use frozen berries for smoothies, breakfast bowls, desserts or children’s snacks, check the package before using the fruit.

The affected product is Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 oz. The company announcement describes it as a blend including strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.

The UPC listed for the affected product is 7874211226. The package size is 10 oz.

This is not a general instruction to throw away every frozen berry product. The recall information points to a specific Great Value product and one specific lot.

The key detail is the lot code: 6040 01-6. According to the announcement, the lot code appears in front of the package.

The affected package also carries a Best If Used By date of February 9, 2028.

Because frozen fruit can stay in the freezer for a long time, the best-by date may look far away. That does not make the recall irrelevant. The lot code is the detail that matters.

The recall reason is possible contamination with E. coli O145:H28. The company announcement identifies E. coli O145 as a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, also known as STEC.

STEC illness can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting. Most healthy individuals recover within a week, but some infections can lead to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

That is why a frozen berry recall should be treated seriously even if the product looks normal.

The recalled product was shipped to select Walmart stores in 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.

If you shop at Walmart in one of those states, check your freezer carefully. If someone bought the berries for you, brought them to a shared kitchen or used them in a recipe, the same check still matters.

Distribution lists help narrow the risk, but the package in your freezer is the most important evidence.

The company announcement states that there were no illnesses associated with this specific product to date.

That is reassuring, but the recall is still important. The announcement describes the action as precautionary and connected to traceback information from the previous recall.

The safest response is not to taste the berries or cook around the concern. Check the lot code and follow the recall instructions.

Consumers who have Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 oz with lot code 6040 01-6 should not consume it.

The announcement says the product should be discarded or returned to Walmart for a full refund.

If the berries were already added to smoothie packs, desserts or another container without the original bag, do not guess in a high-risk setting. When the lot cannot be confirmed, caution is the safer choice.

If the berries were already eaten and no one feels ill, there may be nothing immediate to do beyond staying alert. The recall article does not report illnesses linked to this specific product.

If someone develops symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, or vomiting after possible exposure, contact a health professional, especially for children, older adults or people with weakened immune systems.

For any remaining berries, stop using them and check whether the package matches the recalled lot.

The company announcement lists a contact for questions: [email protected] or 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM EST.

This contact may be useful if the lot code is hard to read, the package information is unclear, or a consumer needs more details about the recall.

For refund handling, the announcement says affected product may be returned to Walmart for a full refund.

Check your freezer for Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 oz with UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6 and Best If Used By date February 9, 2028.

The recall was issued because of possible contamination with E. coli O145:H28. The product was shipped to select Walmart stores in 16 states.

If your package matches, do not eat it. Discard it or return it to Walmart for a full refund.