A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Publix Super Markets and distributor Quirch Foods by national law firm Morgan & Morgan on behalf of the family of Karla Mullins.
Key Details of the Lawsuit
- Victim & Allegations: The complaint alleges that Karla Mullins purchased and consumed contaminated GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries from a Publix location in Largo, Florida. She subsequently developed severe E. coli symptoms and passed away on June 20, 2026.
- Additional Illness: Mullins’ son also ate the contaminated berries, suffered severe symptoms, and required hospitalization.
- Liable Parties Named: The lawsuit targets Publix for selling an allegedly defective and dangerous product, as well as Quirch Foods as the intermediate distributor responsible for delivering the product to store shelves.
Context of the Outbreak & Recall
- Outbreak Strain: Federal and state health agencies (FDA, CDC, and the Florida Department of Health) linked cases to E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing bacteria that can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness and potentially life-threatening kidney complications.
- Recall Timeline:
- Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. initially recalled a single lot of the berries on July 3, 2026.
- By late July, Publix expanded the recall to cover all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries sold in 10 oz. and 48 oz. packages across eight states (AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA).
- The FDA designated the pull a Class I recall, its highest threat level.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for pain, suffering, loss of companionship, and medical expenses resulting from the wrongful death.
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