Tejal Somvanshi
A bag of broccoli sitting in your freezer right now could make you very sick, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency has issued its strongest warning about Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart after finding dangerous bacteria called Listeria in the vegetables.
The recall affects 12-ounce bags of broccoli sold in 20 states. While the broccoli’s December 10, 2024 use-by date has passed, many people freeze vegetables to use later. This is why health officials are worried – the harmful bacteria can survive freezing.
Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, the FDA warns. The bacteria is especially dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, young children, and people with health conditions that weaken their immune system. Each year, about 1,600 Americans get sick from Listeria, and sadly, 260 people die from it.
If you have broccoli in your freezer, here’s what to check: Look for “Marketside Broccoli Florets” in a 12-ounce bag with the numbers 6 81131 32884 5 on the back and BFFG327A6 on the front. If you find this broccoli, throw it away immediately.
The problem came to light when Texas health officials found the bacteria during a routine store check. Braga Fresh, the company that made the broccoli, immediately recalled it from Walmart stores in states including Texas, California, Arizona, and 17 others.
“While the expiration date for the potentially impacted Marketside Broccoli Florets has past and the product is no longer in stores, we encourage customers who may still have this product in their homes, such as stored in freezers, to not consume and to discard the product,” a Walmart spokesperson said. The store will give you your money back if you bought the recalled broccoli.
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Signs of Listeria infection include fever, severe headache, stiffness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you develop these symptoms, seeking medical attention is recommended. Pregnant women should be especially careful as Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
No one has gotten sick from this broccoli yet, but the FDA isn’t taking chances. The agency ranked this as a Class I recall – their most serious warning level – because there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
If you have questions, you can call Braga Fresh at 877-456-7445 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific time, or email them at [email protected].
