Publix, distributor sued over allegedly tainted blueberries after woman’s death

A Florida family is suing Publix and food distributor Quirch Foods, alleging contaminated frozen blueberries sold by the grocery chain caused the death of a woman and hospitalized her son.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges Karla Mullins became sick after eating GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries purchased from a Publix store on Ulmerton Road in Largo. Her son ate the same product and was hospitalized after also becoming sick, according to the complaint.

Mullins died June 20, the lawsuit says. Her husband and son are seeking damages from Publix and Quirch Foods.

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A package of Publix GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries is shown. In July, Publix recalled its GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries over potential E. coli contamination. (FDA / Unknown)

“This family lost a treasured mother and wife because a product that was supposed to be safe was contaminated with a dangerous and deadly pathogen,” Morgan & Morgan said in a news release. “Karla Mullins should be alive today. We intend to hold Publix and Quirch Foods fully accountable for the role they played in putting this product on store shelves and into the hands of unsuspecting customers.”

The lawsuit accuses Publix, which sold the GreenWise-branded blueberries, and Quirch Foods, which it identifies as an intermediate distributor, of liability over what it describes as a defective and unreasonably dangerous product.

Representatives for Publix, Quirch Foods, and Morgan & Morgan did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ requests for comment.

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Publix expanded the recall on blueberries on July 29. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

The lawsuit follows a recall of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries tied to a multistate E. coli O145:H28 outbreak.

Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. initially recalled one lot of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries on July 3. 

Publix expanded the recall on July 29 to cover all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.

A package of Publix GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries is shown. The retailer expanded its recall to all lots of the frozen berry products following a public health investigation into a multistate E. coli outbreak. (FDA / Unknown)

Federal health officials have linked the frozen berries to an outbreak of E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.

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The lawsuit was filed in Pinellas County Circuit Court.