First E. coli Lawsuit Filed Against Publix Over Contaminated Blueberries
A lawsuit alleging E. coli contamination has been filed against Publix after customers became severely ill from the supermarket's organic blueberries. One victim required nearly a month of hospitalization.
West Palm Beach, Florida – The national food poisoning law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with Elizabeth Zwibel Law, has filed the first E. coli lawsuit stemming from illnesses linked to GreenWise Organic blueberries sold at Publix. The suit is filed on behalf of Florida residents Oscar and Roberta Cash.
The Cashs purchased the blueberries in May 2026 and soon after developed symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection, including bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, gas, stomach cramps, dehydration, and fever. Roberta Cash's condition worsened significantly, leading to a ten-day hospitalization at Jupiter Medical Center where she received aggressive treatment. She was subsequently transferred to a nursing facility for nearly three additional weeks of care and continues to receive ongoing medical treatment.
The lawsuit is connected to a larger E. coli O145:H28 outbreak, with twelve confirmed illnesses identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of July 6, 2026. Eleven illnesses were reported in Florida and one in Georgia. The recalled product was sold exclusively at Publix stores across several Southeastern states.
The filing highlights concerns over food safety and potential undisclosed risks to consumers. The legal action seeks compensation for the Cashs' suffering and medical expenses.