A recall of broccoli florets sold at Walmart has been escalated to a Class I recall, the highest level of concern, due to potential contamination. Consumers are urged to discard the affected products immediately.
Braga Fresh initiated the recall of select 12oz packages of its ready-to-eat Marketside Broccoli Florets on December 27. The FDA issued an announcement on December 31, and the recall’s classification was recently upgraded to Class I.
Class I recalls are issued when there is a reasonable probability that exposure to a product could cause serious adverse health consequences or even death.
The recall specifically affects 12oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart. These products feature the UPC code “6 81131 32884 5” and a best-by date of December 10, 2024. The affected lot is identified by the code “BFFG327A6.”
Braga Foods emphasized that all potentially contaminated products are past their expiration date and are no longer available for purchase. “This advisory applies only to the affected broccoli florets and does not extend to other Marketside or Braga Fresh products,” the company said.
While the products are no longer on store shelves, consumers may have frozen the affected bags for later use. The company advises those who still have the product in their freezers to dispose of it immediately.
The recall was prompted by the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes contamination during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services. One of several samples from a Texas store tested positive for the bacteria, leading to the recall.
The affected Walmart locations include stores across Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Although no illnesses have been reported, Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms in healthy individuals may include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the infection can lead to miscarriages or stillbirths among pregnant women.
In a statement to FOX Business, Walmart emphasized that the health and safety of its customers remains a top priority. “Although the product is no longer on store shelves and is past its expiration date, we urge customers who may have the product in their homes, particularly in freezers, to discard it,” a Walmart spokesperson said. “At this time, there have been no reported illnesses related to the recall, and we are working with the supplier to investigate the matter further.”
