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 due to fears of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This pathogen can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations such as older people, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. The affected product has a best-by date of December 10, 2024, and is no longer on store shelves, but some customers may still have the recalled broccoli in their freezers.
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 bags is “6 81131 32884 5” and the lot code is “BFFG327A6.” The product was sold only at Walmart stores. 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 CDC. Symptoms of listeriosis vary from mild digestive issues to more serious invasive illness.
Braga Fresh stated that no illness tied to the recall had been reported as of December 27. Customers who purchased the recalled broccoli are urged not to consume it and to discard the product. The company can be contacted 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 for more information or to address any concerns related to the recall. While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of this illness occur sporadically and are a common cause of food product recalls due to concerns of bacterial contamination.
Listeriosis infections can lead to serious health complications, particularly in vulnerable populations. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. For pregnant individuals, the illness can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Braga Fresh reassured customers that the recall is limited to the specific batch of Marketside Broccoli Florets and does not apply to any other products produced by the company.
Braga Fresh initially posted about the recall on Friday, urging consumers not to consume the affected product and to discard it. While the recall was initiated as a precautionary measure, no reports of illness related to the recalled broccoli had been received at the time of the announcement. The company emphasized that consumer safety is a top priority and provided contact information for customers to seek further assistance or clarification regarding the recall. The potential health risks associated with Listeria monocytogenes contamination underscore the importance of food safety measures and swift recalls to prevent the spread of illness.
