Walmart has initiated a recall of its Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged potential E. coli contamination. The recall, announced on September 2, applies to a single 10-ounce lot distributed to select stores across 16 states.
The affected product, carrying UPC 078742112268 (listed by the FDA as 7874211226), has a lot code of 6040 01-6 printed on the front of the package. Consumers are advised to check their freezers for bags with a best-if-used-by date of February 9, 2028, and either return them to Walmart for a full refund or discard them immediately.
Scope of the Recall
The recall stems from an expanded investigation by the FDA into organic frozen blueberries supplied by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile. Traceback efforts identified the additional lot, which was shipped to Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
While the FDA's broader outbreak investigation has linked 17 illnesses and six hospitalizations to organic frozen blueberries from the Chilean supplier, no deaths have been reported. Importantly, the recall notice states that no illnesses have been directly associated with this specific Great Value product as of its publication.
Financial Impact on Walmart
From an investment perspective, the direct financial impact of this recall appears immaterial for Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ: WMT). The recall involves only one lot of a 10-ounce frozen product, and neither Walmart nor the supplier has disclosed any charges, sales impact, or broader product withdrawal.
As of 9:56 a.m. ET on September 10, WMT shares traded at $106.36, up 0.25% from the previous close, according to Yahoo Finance intraday data. There is no evidence that the recall is driving the stock's movement.
To put the scale in perspective, Walmart U.S. generated $125.2 billion in net sales during the quarter ended July 31. The company's overall revenue grew 5.9%, U.S. comparable sales rose 2.6%, and global e-commerce sales surged 23%, per Walmart's latest earnings release. A single frozen-fruit lot is unlikely to move these figures unless the recall expands significantly.
Brand Trust Considerations
The less visible concern is brand trust. Walmart has positioned Great Value as its largest private brand and the leading food-and-consumables consumer packaged goods brand in the United States. In April, the company noted that Great Value products reach nine out of ten U.S. households. This extensive reach underscores the importance of rigorous supplier traceability, even when the revenue tied to one recalled item is negligible.
Private labels are a cornerstone of Walmart's low-price strategy, helping to keep customers within its ecosystem. However, they also place the retailer's name closer to quality-control failures than a recall involving only a national brand. The current response—an identified supplier, a specific lot, and a full refund—helps contain the risk. A pattern of repeated incidents, however, could pose a different challenge for investors.
What Could Change the Investment View?
Investors should monitor FDA updates for any expansion of the recall to additional Great Value lots, products, or states; any illnesses directly tied to the Walmart-branded blend; and any signs of regulatory, litigation, or supplier-replacement costs. The FDA's investigation remains ongoing.
Until one of those conditions changes, this recall is primarily a consumer-safety action and a test of Walmart's recall execution—not a reason to revise estimates for WMT. Shoppers are urged to take the lot check seriously, as the February 2028 date means affected bags could remain in home freezers long after store shelves have been cleared.
