Four people have been hospitalized with a life-threatening bacteria after consuming blueberries that were the subject of a recall earlier this month. 

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a Chile-based grower, issued a recall for its GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries after tests returned a presumptive positive result for E.coli.

So far, there have been 12 reports of illnesses and four hospitalizations in two states. No deaths have been reported.  

The fruits were sold in 10-ounce beige bags depicting blueberries in a bowl surrounded by leaves on the front.

They were available at Publix stores in eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

There are 11 E.coli cases in Florida and one in Georgia. 

The CDC states: ‘CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145 infections.

‘Epidemiologic data show that frozen GreenWise brand organic blueberries may be contaminated with E. coli O145 and may be making people sick.’

The Chile-based grower said it had ordered the recall after receiving reports of stomach sickness from patients

Announcing the recall, Publix said the berries were available in stores between May 11 and June 5 this year. The recalled blueberries have a best before date of February 9, 2028. 

The CDC said the illnesses range from May 11 to June 5 and that the ‘true number of sick people in this outbreak [is] likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses.’

People with E.coli may recover without medical treatment or may not be tested for the bacteria. It also may take three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of a recall or outbreak.

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Patients thus far in this outbreak range from two to 88 years old.

Of the nine people interviewed, seven reported eating the frozen blueberries.

Consumers who have the affected blueberries at home have been urged not to consume them and throw them out immediately or return them to stores for a full refund. 

In previous similar cases, customers have also been urged to throw out other foods that may have come into contact with the contaminated products and clean areas of the freezer where they were stored.

The blueberries tested presumptively positive for E.coli O145:H28, a highly virulent strain of the bacteria that is more likely to cause bloody diarrhea and more severe symptoms. 

Those infected with the strain also have a higher risk of suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a lifelong kidney complication.

Children under five years old and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk from the infection.

Recalled blueberries have the lot code 60401, which is normally printed on the barcode of the packaging.

No further details have been released on the sick individuals, including their ages and in which states they consumed the blueberries.

In its press release announcing the recall, grower Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. said it started to investigate the blueberries after receiving reports of stomach illnesses from customers. 

‘Food safety remains a top priority for Frutas y Hortalizas S.A,’ the company said in its recall notice.

Shown above is a 10-ounce bag of GreenWise whole blueberries, which has been recalled over a suspected E.coli contamination

It was not clear how the fruits became contaminated, but this can happen if they are treated with water that contains animal feces.  

E.coli bacteria stop growing at temperatures below 45.5F (7.5C), but can survive being frozen and are able to withstand temperatures below -112F (-80C).

Once back in a warm environment, the bacteria are reactivated and start to grow – potentially causing an infection.

E.coli is a Shiga toxin-producing bacteria that typically sickens people between two and eight days after exposure.

Most patients develop bloody diarrhea and vomiting, as well as stomach cramps, but recover within a week. In more severe cases, some develop a fatal kidney disease called HUS.

HUS is a type of kidney failure that can occur in anyone but is most common in children under five, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms include easy bruising, decreased urine and a pale appearance. A kidney transplant may be necessary in severe or life-threatening instances.

About 90,000 Americans and at least 1,500 Britons are sickened with E.coli every year, while around 100 people die from the infection in the US and UK annually. 

However, cases are vastly undercounted because most people recover without complication and do not get tested for the bacteria.  

The UK is in the midst of its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures consistently rising above 34C.

And while many Britons are focused on avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated, keeping medication at the correct temperature may be just as important.

Health chiefs at the General Pharmaceutical Council say storing medicines at the correct temperature is ‘crucial to maintaining their quality, effectiveness and safety’. 

They advise that medicines that require refrigeration should be kept between 2C and 8C, while most others that are recommended to be kept at room temperature should be stored at temperatures between 15C and 25C.

Once temperatures rise above 25C, some medicines – which people often store in humid areas like cars, kitchens and bathrooms – can become less effective. 

If the drugs become too hot their chemical structure may change, meaning creams can separate, liquids may evaporate and capsules can soften or melt.

Speaking earlier this year, Alison Cave, chief medical officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said: ‘Let’s face it – when there’s a heatwave, most of us are focused on getting outside and enjoying it while it lasts. 

‘But it’s easy to forget that medicines left in the heat – in cars, bags, or on sunny windowsills – might not work properly when you need them.’

Keeping medication at the correct temperature during a heatwave is crucial (file image)

Proper storage is important for medicines such as weight–loss injections, which should be stored in the refrigerator. 

Jabs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days, but during a heatwave they may break down when exposed to excessive heat – reducing their effectiveness. 

This is also the case for insulin, the hormone used to treat diabetes by lowering high blood sugar levels.

The UK Health Security Agency has an amber heat–health alert in place for most of England until 9pm on Sunday, meaning Britain is expected to continue sweltering until the end of the weekend.

Other medicines, including inhalers – used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – can also be affected by high temperatures, as the gases inside them can expand in the heat. 

The main ingredient in an inhaler for these conditions is hydrofluoroalkane gas, which helps deliver the medicine into lungs and helps patients with their breathing.

Experts also say that blood glucose monitors, used by people with diabetes to measure blood sugar levels, can become less reliable in hot and humid conditions. 

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Science and Technology found that humidity levels of 83 per cent can contribute to these monitors returning false readings.

Humidity levels inside UK homes can exceed that threshold during the summer. 

In July, indoor humidity can climb above 90 per cent in parts of England, including London and Bournemouth, while cities such as Manchester and Birmingham can also experience levels higher than the study’s threshold.

With research showing that many people store medicines in kitchens and bathrooms, where temperatures and humidity fluctuate, experts are urging the public to keep medicines in cool places and ensure they are stored within their recommended temperature range.

The good news is there are simple steps people can take to protect their medicines during hot weather.

As well as moving medicines away from warm areas and direct sunlight, keeping rooms cool by opening windows during cooler parts of the day and using fans to improve air circulation can help.  

If travelling, which can cause medicines to get hot in pockets and bags, experts say they should be packed in insulated pouches or cool bags – but not placed directly next to ice packs because freezing medicines can also damage them.

Anyone who has concerns about whether their medication has changed as a result of being exposed to excessive heat should seek advice from a healthcare professional.

It is crucial to follow the storage instructions for each medication.