Frozen blueberries linked to E. coli lead a six-recall Tuesday
The most likely-in-your-freezer recall of the week, plus a Class I chip recall, a hybrid SUV fix, a vacuum fire risk, and a toy that already choked a kid.
If you shop at Publix, eat chips, or drive a Ford hybrid, check this issue before you check email. Six federal recalls dropped in the last five days. Here they are, worst first.
GreenWise frozen blueberries recalled after E. coli sickens 12 people
What: Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. (sold under the Comfrut brand) recalled 10-ounce bags of Publix GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, lot code 60401, best-by February 9, 2028. The bags were sold at Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Publix says to return or discard any GreenWise blueberries bought on or before July 3, 2026, and to check freezers, since these berries can sit there for months.
Why: The berries tested presumptively positive for E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause kidney failure in severe cases. The company's own recall notice cites "12 confirmed cases of consumers experiencing stomach illness between May 11, 2026 and June 5, 2026." Worth noting: as of this writing neither FDA nor CDC has posted a matching public outbreak notice, so that case count comes from the company, not a health agency, a gap food-safety reporters have flagged directly to the firm.
What to do: Don't eat blueberries matching that lot code. Return the bag to any Publix for a full refund, or throw it out. Questions go to Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612 (8 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern, weekdays).
Zapp's and Dirty potato chips hit FDA's highest recall risk category
What: Utz Quality Foods first recalled limited batches of Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Zapp's Salt & Vinegar, Zapp's Big Cheezy, Dirty Salt and Vinegar, Dirty Maui Onion, and Dirty Sour Cream and Onion potato chips back in May, after a seasoning supplier flagged possible salmonella in dry milk powder. On July 1, the FDA reclassified the recall as Class I, its most serious category, covering roughly 744,000 bags sold nationwide. Full batch codes and best-by dates (mostly late July through August 2026) are listed on Utz's recall notice.
Why: A Class I recall means the FDA judges "a reasonable probability" that eating the product "could cause serious adverse health consequences or death." Utz says the seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella before use and the recall is precautionary; no illnesses have been reported to the company to date.
What to do: Check bags against the batch codes on Utz's notice. Don't eat matching chips. Discard them or contact Utz at customerservice@utzsnacks.com or 1-877-423-0149 (weekdays, 9-6 Eastern) for a refund.
Ford and Lincoln hybrid SUVs recalled again over silent pedestrian alerts
What: Ford is recalling 66,383 vehicles: the 2024-2027 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Ford Explorer Hybrid, NHTSA campaign 26V415. This expands an earlier fix (campaign 25V691) that didn't fully solve the problem.
Why: A software error can silence the required pedestrian warning sound when the vehicle is moving in electric mode under about 19 mph. Drivers may see a "Pedestrian Sounder Fault: Service Now" message. Ford says it isn't aware of any crashes or injuries tied to the defect, but a silent hybrid near crosswalks and parking lots is a real risk to anyone who can't see the car coming.
What to do: Dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in the 28-speaker Nautilus Hybrid; a fix for other affected units is still being finalized. Ford plans to mail interim letters between August 3 and 7, 2026, with final repair notices to follow. Owners can call 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S51, or check their VIN at NHTSA.gov.
Rowenta cordless vacuums recalled over battery fire risk
What: Rowenta recalled about 3,660 X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal (model RH99A2U1) and X-Force Flex 15.60 Animal (model RH99F2U1) cordless stick vacuums, plus separately sold replacement batteries (model ZR0097U2, date code starting with 23 or 24). They were sold at Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, and online at Rowenta.com, Amazon and Walmart from July 2023 through January 2026, for $250 to $550, per the CPSC notice.
Why: The lithium-ion battery in the handle "can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury from fire and burn hazards." Rowenta has two US reports of the battery overheating or failing to charge and 65 more reports globally; no injuries reported.
What to do: Stop using the vacuum immediately and remove the battery from the handle. Register at rowentausa.com/recall-campaign-xforce with a photo of the battery's model number and date code for a free replacement. Do not put the old battery in regular trash or curbside recycling; take it to a municipal household hazardous waste site.
Target's Gigglescape popping toy recalled after a child chokes
What: Target recalled about 49,000 Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toys, sold exclusively at Target stores and online from August 2025 through January 2026 for about $10, per CPSC. The toy has a clear plastic dome on a blue whale-shaped base; pushing a plunger pops colored balls up inside the dome.
Why: The dome can detach from the base, exposing the small balls inside. Target has received nine reports of the dome detaching, "including one incident in which a child began to choke."
What to do: Take the toy away from children immediately. Return it to any Target store for a full refund, or contact Target for a prepaid mail-back label.
Worth a look: CPSC warns against aftermarket crib mattresses sold by Mengna
CPSC issued a rare stop-use warning, not a full recall, on Criblike aftermarket play yard and non-full-sized crib mattresses, sold on Amazon by the China-based seller Mengna, warning they can leave gaps that trap and suffocate infants and that some also failed flammability testing. The seller recalled only units sold June-September 2025 and refused a wider recall covering units sold May 2023 through May 2025. CPSC's blunt advice: stop using any of these mattresses now and dispose of them, regardless of when you bought one. Details at CPSC.gov.
Skipped today: a beef jerky allergen alert limited to three stores in Oklahoma, and an Aldi kimchi allergen recall with no illnesses reported, both too narrow to be worth your time.