Walmart Braga Fresh Broccoli Recall Now Considered Deadly by FDA Due to Listeria

A previous recall of Walmart-sold broccoli is now classified as a deadly risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed the situation a Class I recall, which is the highest risk classification. 

According to the FDA site, a Class I recall is “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 two other classifications are Class II, “where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” and Class III, where the product is “not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

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How to identify the recalled broccoli

The retail giant has recalled Braga Fresh, a brand of bagged greens, from Walmart stores in 20 states over listeria concerns.

The recall involves Braga Fresh washed and ready-to-eat 12-ounce bags of Marketside broccoli florets. The presence of listeria, which can cause a foodborne illness, was found during routine testing by the Texas Health and Human Services. All of the affected bags had the same “best-by” date of December 10, 2024, meaning they are no longer being sold in stores—but be sure to check your bags of Braga Fresh broccoli florets at home.

There have not been any reports of illness, but Braga Fresh is issuing the recall for those who may have stored their bag of broccoli in the freezer over the holidays. The states that are affected by this recall are as follows: 

Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Click here for a list of the store locations affected. 

Consumers should discard the product immediately, even if stored in their freezer. Any of the affected bags of broccoli florets will also include the product UPC code “6 81131 32884 5” and lot code “BFFG327A6.”

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Symptoms of listeria infection

Braga Fresh stated the risks of potential listeria ingestion in their company announcement, which was released on December 27, 2024. 

“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the statement reads. “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.”

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Ingesting listeria can cause listeriosis, which comes in two forms: intestinal and invasive.  Symptoms of intestinal listeriosis can include diarrhea and vomiting, fever, chills and muscle aches. Symptoms typically develop within 24 hours of ingesting affected food.

While these are the most common effects of ingesting listeria, an invasive listeriosis can develop, causing more severe symptoms. These can include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, seizures and confusion. Those with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals, older adults, or newborns are more susceptible to severe symptoms.

What to do if you have a bag of Braga Fresh broccoli 

If you purchased the Braga Fresh broccoli florets from Walmart in any of the states or stores listed with the “best-by” date of Dec. 10, 2024, and codes, discard them. If you have the broccoli with a different date or code but are worried about the recall, discard it and purchase a new bag or brand. For those with questions about the recalled product, you can call Braga Fresh at 877-456-7445 from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time or email WeCare@bragafresh.com.