Broccoli Sold at Walmart Now Labeled as Deadly by FDA, Recall Issued

Broccoli sold at Walmart is now considered deadly more than one month after a recall for the product was first issued.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday, Jan. 27, that the recall on washed and ready-to-eat 12-ounce Marketside Broccoli Florets with a best-if-used-by date of Dec. 10, 2024, would now be classified as a Class I recall.

According to its website, the FDA uses this classification in 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."

The update comes just weeks after Braga Fresh, based in California, issued a voluntary recall of the product on Dec. 27, 2024.

"This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later use. Consumers who have this product in their freezers should not consume and discard the product," an press release shared by the FDA and Braga Fresh explained.

The recall was initiated because the broccoli florets have the possibility of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

According to the press release, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."

"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," the press release adds.

Texas Health & Human Services discovered the possible contamination during random sampling from a Texas Walmart after one of the multiple samples yielded a positive test result.

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

Individuals looking to check if they have the specific product involved in the recall can check for UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 on the back of the bag, with a "Best if Used by Date" of Dec 10, 2024, and Lot Code: BFFG327A6 on the front of the bag.

Consumer are advised not to consume the product if it is in their possession and to discard it.

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Those with additional questions can contact Braga Fresh at 877-456-7445, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST, or email WeCare@bragafresh.com.