Broccoli Recall: Walmart Product Now Labeled Deadly by the FDA

A broccoli recall affecting products sold in Walmart stores in 20 states has now been labeled as deadly by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

USA Today reports that the FDA has labeled a voluntary recall and product alert for Marketside Broccoli Florets produced by Braga Fresh as a Class 1 recall — the highest risk level. The FDA announced the initial recall on Dec. 31, 2024, for Braga Fresh’s washed and ready-to-eat 12-ounce packages of Marketside Broccoli Florets owing to a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The broccoli florets had a best-if-used-by date of Dec. 10, 2024, a UPC of 6 81131 32884 5, and a lot code of BFFG327A6.

The FDA issued a Class I notice on Jan. 27, 2025, indicating that this broccoli recall has the most significant level of danger due to the potential for death.

Texas Health and Human Services discovered listeria contamination during random sampling at a Texas store. No illnesses have been reported as a result of the broccoli recall. If you purchased the item, the FDA recommends discarding it immediately.

The affected broccoli was sold at Walmart stores in the following states:

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis, often known as listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection caused primarily by Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a severe disorder that can be deadly or fatal, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

Broccoli Recall Is Just the Latest Walmart Recall

The broccoli recall is just the latest recall affecting products sold at Walmart.

Last month, the FDA announced a recall of the Great Value brand of chicken broth, which comes in 48-ounce canisters. Although the FDA issued a statement on its website on Jan. 8, the recall began on Dec. 11.

Walmart acknowledged that the chicken broth recall affected 242 sites in nine states, contradicting the FDA’s claim that the recalled cartons were sent to retailers in Alabama and Arkansas. The remaining states impacted were Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

The FDA stated that the recall was due to “potential for packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage.” The chicken broth recall included 2,023 cases in total. With six items in each case, 12,138 cartons of broth were recalled.