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The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated a recall of broccoli florets to the highest level over concerns of listeria contamination. Last month, Braga Fresh issued a voluntary recall of its Marketside Broccoli Florets that were sold in Walmart stores across 20 states after testing by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services found the presence of Listeria.
Now, the FDA has updated the recall to a Class I, which means there is a "reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
While the recalled packages are past the "best if used by" date and are no longer available in stores, officials are concerned that consumers may still have them in their freezers.
The recalled products include 12oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets with the UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 on the back of the bag, a Best if Used by Date Dec 10, 2024, and Lot Code: BFFG327A6 on the front of the bag.
"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," Braga Fresh said in a statement. "Consumers who have this product in their freezers should not consume and discard the product."
Listeria can cause severe infections, especially in newborns, elderly adults, and pregnant women. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In serious cases, it can lead to confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.