Walmart's Recall On This Grocery Essential Has Just Been Updated to Be 'Deadly'—Here's What to Know

Nearly a month after the initial recall notice, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded the washed and ready-to-eat variety of 12-ounce Marketside Broccoli Florets from Braga Fresh Foods LLC to a Class 1 recall. The broccoli product question was sold at Walmart locations nationwide and, despite no longer being sold in stores, is now considered deadly by the FDA.

The FDA defines a Class 1 recall as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." Braga Fresh, a California-based company, voluntarily issued the recall on December 27, 2024, citing the possibility that the broccoli florets had been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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"This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores,” a press release issued by the FDA reads. The notice goes on to explain that while “consumers may have frozen the item for later use,” they are urged not to consume it and rather “discard the product” altogether.

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For those out of the loop, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can lead to serious or even fatal infections, most notably within young children, frail or elderly people and those with a weakened immune system.

"Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women," noted the press release.

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What we know as of now is that Texas Health & Human Services discovered the possible contamination by way of random sampling at a Texas Walmart. Multiple samples came up with a positive test result for Listeria during the investigation.

We also know that the broccoli florets in question were distributed to select Walmart locations in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

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Each individual product involved in the recall will sport a UPC code of 6 81131 32884 5 on the back of the bag and a “best if used by” date of Dec 10, 2024 and Lot Code of BFFG327A6. Those with further questions or concerns can reach out to Braga Fresh at 877-456-7445, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST, or email WeCare@bragafresh.com.

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