The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its recall of ready-to-eat broccoli florets sold at Walmart stores across 20 states due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall, classified under the FDA's "Class I" designation, signifies the highest level of risk, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the product could lead to serious health consequences or even death.
Braga Fresh Foods, the producer of the recalled Marketside Broccoli Florets, announced that the potential for contamination was detected during routine random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services. The positive test result came from a sample taken at a Texas store location.
"Potential for contamination was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result." – Braga Fresh Foods
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection particularly dangerous for certain populations. In the United States, an estimated 1,600 people contract listeriosis annually, leading to approximately 260 deaths. While symptoms are typically mild for many, including diarrhea and vomiting, the condition poses significant risks to pregnant individuals, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The recalled broccoli was sold in Walmart stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Consumers who purchased these products are advised to discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
Listeriosis manifests in two forms: intestinal and invasive. Intestinal listeriosis usually develops within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and lasts one to three days. For pregnant people, infection can lead to pregnancy loss or premature birth. Invasive listeriosis occurs when the bacteria spread beyond the intestines, with symptoms typically appearing within two weeks after ingestion.
People who may have consumed contaminated food should remain vigilant for symptoms ranging from 24 hours to two weeks post-exposure. The FDA advises avoiding high-risk foods such as unpasteurized dairy products, soft cheeses, raw or undercooked meats, and ready-to-eat deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot to minimize the risk of listeria infection.
