Woman dies after eating blueberries allegedly contaminated with E. coli

A Florida family is suing supermarket giant Publix, and are alleging that a woman died following an illness caused by eating frozen blueberries.

The berries were later recalled due to possible E. coli contamination.

Karla Mullins, from Largo, Florida, died on June 20, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her husband, Richard Mullins, and their son Spencer.

The complaint alleges that Karla ate frozen GreenWise organic blueberries bought from Publix on May 21 and subsequently developed an infection that required hospital treatment.

The lawsuit, filed on 17 September, names both Publix and distributor Quirch Foods as defendants.

The family claims the blueberries were contaminated with E. coli and that the companies were negligent in allowing the affected product to reach consumers.

According to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been 17 confirmed illnesses across Florida and Georgia and six hospitalisations, but no deaths, and it has not attributed Mullins’ death to the outbreak.

Spencer and Karla Mullins are alleged to have both been hospitalised after consuming frozen blueberries (Morgan & Morgan)

The case centres on frozen GreenWise organic blueberries that became the subject of a widening recall during the summer.

Initially, a specific lot of 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries was recalled after investigators identified a possible connection with an E. coli O145 outbreak.

Publix later expanded the recall to cover all lots of its GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries in both 10-ounce and 48-ounce packs.

The products had been distributed to Publix stores across eight states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

In August, the US Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as a Class I recall, its highest level.

That designation is reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that eating or being exposed to the recalled product could cause serious health consequences or death.

The FDA says consumers should not eat, sell or serve the recalled blueberries or mixed berries.

They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Frozen blueberries and mixed berries have been subject to a major recall across the US (Getty Stock)

The agency also advises cleaning and sanitising surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the products, helping to prevent cross-contamination.

E. coli infections can cause symptoms including severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever, nausea and vomiting.

In some cases, infection can progress to haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

The Mullins lawsuit alleges that Karla's death was the ‘direct and proximate result of consuming’ the contaminated blueberries.

Her son Spencer is also named in the complaint and is alleged to have been hospitalised after eating the same product, and it is alleged that he also suffered ‘physical and emotional injuries’ after consuming the product.

The suit insists that Karla’s death and Spencer’s injuries came as ‘a result of their consumption of contaminated frozen blueberries’, according to PEOPLE.

The family's lawyers said in a statement that “Karla Mullins should be alive today” and vowed to hold Publix and Quirch Foods accountable.

Meanwhile, the FDA's investigation remains ongoing.

Officials continue to trace the source of the contamination and have warned consumers not to take chances with recalled frozen berries.

FOODbible has contacted Publix and Quirch Foods for comment.