Family sues Publix and distributor over fatal E. coli-tainted blueberries
A Largo man filed a wrongful-death suit against Publix and distributor Quirch Foods, alleging his wife died after eating frozen blueberries contaminated with E. coli.
In Pinellas County, Richard Mullins lodged a wrongful-death lawsuit against grocery chain Publix and food distributor Quirch Foods Inc., asserting that frozen GreenWise blueberries purchased at a Publix store on Ulmerton Road were contaminated with the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 strain. The contaminated product, supplied by Chilean harvester Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., was recalled after an outbreak that sickened 17 people across two states, resulting in six hospitalizations but no other deaths.
Karla Mullins, 74, died on June 20 after hospitalization, while her son Spencer survived but filed as a co-plaintiff seeking damages for medical costs and lost wages. The suit accuses Quirch of failing to inspect and warn the public, and Publix of selling the unsafe berries. Attorneys for the parties have not responded to comment requests. The CDC has declared the outbreak over, but officials warn consumers to discard any recalled berries still in freezers.
Why it matters
The case highlights consumer safety risks from contaminated food and the legal accountability of retailers and distributors.
In this story
