Class I U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Organic Triple Berry Blend Strawberries recall: Potential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination

Recall published last month

Potential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination

The hazard: E. coli contamination

The hazard here is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli — the strain family behind the bloody-diarrhoea outbreaks, and the reason this notice is worth acting on today rather than at the weekend.

What the notice says: Potential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination

Why it matters: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causes a more severe illness than most food poisoning, and in a minority of cases it damages the kidneys. Very small numbers of bacteria are enough to make someone ill.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes symptoms as severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea that is often bloody, and vomiting, typically starting three to four days after exposure. Most people get better within a week. A small proportion — most often young children and older adults — develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a form of kidney failure that needs hospital treatment. Call a doctor for bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, a fever above 102°F, vomiting that prevents you keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration. The CDC advises against taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine for a suspected E. coli infection unless a doctor tells you to.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-1380-2026
Published
September 23, 2026
Risk level
Class I
Status
Ongoing
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A.
Product type
Fresh produce
Units affected
3,026 cases
Distribution
Arkansas
Made in
Chile
Lot / code info
Lot 6 040 01-6 Best by Date Feb 09 2028

Products covered by this recall

Organic Triple Berry Blend Strawberries, Blackberries & Blueberries, NET WT 10 OZ (283g), packed in plastic bag, 5 bags per case of 10 OZ each. KEEP FROZEN

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 026 cases

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 026 cases

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 10 OZ

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about E. coli

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. — The hazard here is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli — the strain family behind the bloody-diarrhoea outbreaks, and the reason this notice is worth acting on today rather than at the weekend.

  1. Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.
  2. Keep an eye on young children for a week after exposure, including after the diarrhoea stops, because kidney complications appear late.
  3. Seal it in a bag and throw it out, or return it to the store for a refund.
  4. Wash hands, utensils, boards and counters that touched it with hot soapy water — cross-contamination is how most secondary cases happen.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. — Ruta 5 Sur Km. 390, San Carlos

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. fresh produce recalled?

Potential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination Potential E. coli O145:H28 Contamination

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 026 cases; best-by date 026 cases. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Arkansas.

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