Broccoli Recall Sparks Warning in 20 States

2 days ago 3

Braga Fresh has issued a voluntary recall for 12-ounce bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart stores in 20 states across the country.

Why It Matters

The recall was initiated over fears of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the pathogen can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections" in older people, young children and those with a weakened immune system.

The affected product has a best-by date of December 10, 2024, and is no longer on store shelves, a notice shared to the FDA website on Tuesday says. But some customers may have the recalled broccoli in their freezers.

What To Know

The recalled broccoli was distributed to stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The product UPC code on the "washed and ready-to-eat" broccoli bags is "6 81131 32884 5" and the lot code is "BFFG327A6," according to the recall notice. The product was sold only at Walmart stores.

Newsweek reached out for comment to Braga Fresh via email on Tuesday night.

Listeriosis, an infection of Listeria monocytogenes, is fatal in about 260 of an estimated 1,600 annual cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most listeriosis infections are limited to the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting developing within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. However, a more invasive form of the illness develops in some within two weeks.

Symptoms of the invasive illness include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. About one in 20 people who contract the invasive form of listeriosis without being pregnant will die of the illness.

For those who are pregnant, symptoms are generally mild or nonexistent, but invasive illness "usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn," according to the CDC.

While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of the serious illness occur sporadically and concerns of contamination by the bacteria are a common cause of food product recalls.

What People Are Saying

Braga Fresh posted about the recall when it was first initiated on Friday, saying in part: "This voluntary advisory does not apply to any other Marketside or Braga Fresh produced products. Consumers who have this product in their possession should not consume and discard the product."

What Happens Next

Braga Fresh said that no illness tied to the recall had been reported as of December 27. Customers who purchased the broccoli and have additional questions or concerns about the recall can contact the company via phone at 877-456-7445 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time Monday to Friday, or by emailing WeCare@bragafresh.com.