A major vegetable recall has been issued for broccoli sold at Walmart stores across several states due to a bacterial contamination risk. If you’ve bought these broccoli florets, it’s crucial to act quickly—don’t eat them! Return or throw them away right away.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Class I recall for Marketside Broccoli Florets (12 oz.) after testing found traces of a dangerous bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was launched by Braga Fresh Foods LLC on December 27, 2024, affecting nearly 6,000 cases of the product.
The affected packages are labeled with the date “BEST IF USED BY DEC 10, 2024,” and have the code BFFG327A6 13:56 printed on them.
The problem first came to light when Texas Health & Human Services randomly tested products at a Walmart store in Texas. They found that one sample of the broccoli tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Although there haven’t been any reported illnesses from consuming the broccoli so far, health experts are taking no chances and urging people to be cautious.
A Class I recall is the most serious type of recall. The FDA explains that this category signals a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacteria that can lead to severe infections, especially for certain groups, such as young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
🚨RECALL ALERT🚨: A recall over Walmart-sold broccoli has been escalated to the highest threat levelhttps://t.co/DtreuuMwSF
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) February 3, 2025
Infections caused by Listeria can cause fever, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. But it can be even more dangerous for pregnant women, potentially causing miscarriages or stillbirths.
This recall affects Walmart stores in 20 states, including places like Texas, California, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, and many others. The broccoli was sold in stores across these areas, and customers who bought it should not eat it. Instead, they are being urged to either throw it away or return it to the store for a refund.
Braga Fresh Foods LLC has already notified stores about the recall, using emails, phone calls, press releases, and even in-person visits to make sure they got the word out. The FDA is also keeping a close watch on the situation, as the recall remains in effect.
While food safety concerns continue to rise, this isn’t the only recall happening right now. Another warning was issued recently regarding organic carrots, which were linked to an E. coli outbreak.
On November 17, 2024, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA alerted the public about the new E. coli outbreak, which was traced back to organic carrots distributed by Grimmway Farms. The outbreak involved organic whole and baby carrots from different sizes, and people were warned to be cautious.
OUTBREAK: Investigation of E. coli O121:H9 in bagged organic whole & baby #carrots from Grimmway Farms. The voluntary recall is of multiple sizes & brands. Products are likely no longer available for sale in stores – check your refrigerator. Full list> https://t.co/4hPELJXa7d
— U.S. FDA Human Foods Program (@FDAfood) November 18, 2024
Even though Grimmway Farms recalled the affected products on November 16, 2024, the CDC and FDA cautioned that some of the contaminated carrots might still be in consumers’ homes. They urged everyone to check their refrigerators for any recalled carrots and immediately discard them or return them to the store.
In addition to recalling the carrots, the FDA also warned businesses to stop selling the contaminated products. They also advised everyone to thoroughly wash and sanitize any surfaces or objects that may have come into contact with the carrots.
The recall involved several well-known brands like 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, and even Marketside. If you have any of these carrots, make sure to take action and dispose of them safely.
These recalls serve as important reminders for everyone to stay alert when it comes to food safety. Always check your products, especially when a recall is announced, and don’t hesitate to return or dispose of anything that could potentially harm you. Stay safe!
Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers’ Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination https://t.co/kcnABGhfpD pic.twitter.com/vTGSI0z6Cd
— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) November 18, 2024
In late December 2024, shoppers across several states were shocked to hear about a serious recall involving a popular vegetable product sold at Walmart. It wasn’t just any recall – this was a warning about a potential bacterial contamination in broccoli florets, one that could pose major health risks.
E. Coli Outbreak: 39 people are sick in 18 states. Check your homes for recalled bagged organic carrots. Do not eat recalled carrots. Throw them away. Carrots currently on store shelves are not affected. See the notice for a full list of brands of carrots.https://t.co/lzD2Z1SEAw pic.twitter.com/dL4KpqmZr1
— CDC (@CDCgov) November 17, 2024
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class I recall for Marketside Broccoli Florets (12 oz.), a well-known product in Walmart stores. The reason? Tests showed that the broccoli florets could be contaminated with a dangerous bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes.
An E. coli outbreak tied to organic whole and baby carrots from Grimmway Farms has affected 39 people across 18 states, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and one death, according to the CDC.
— ABC News (@ABC) November 19, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/BuXUEfmgdc pic.twitter.com/fqwq5t3ayk
This contamination was discovered when health officials in Texas decided to conduct random testing on food items at a local Walmart store. One of the broccoli samples tested positive for Listeria, which led to an immediate recall of the product.
A deadly E. coli outbreak has been linked to organic carrot from Grimmway Farms, sold at many major chains.
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) November 18, 2024
“Throw them away immediately,” @ErielleReshef warns.
"Sanitize any surfaces they may have touched." pic.twitter.com/ZpbZclr8qV
This prompted Braga Fresh Foods LLC to voluntarily pull the product from the shelves on December 27, 2024. The recall affected 5,918 cases, all labeled with the date “BEST IF USED BY DEC 10, 2024,” and marked with the code BFFG327A6 13:56.
Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported so far, but the authorities are taking this seriously. The FDA has warned consumers about the risks associated with Listeria, emphasizing the potential for serious health problems.
They classified the recall as “Class I,” which is the highest level of urgency. A Class I recall is issued when there’s a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
⚠️ OUTBREAK: Investigation of E. coli O121:H9 in bagged organic whole & baby #carrots from Grimmway Farms. The voluntary recall is of multiple sizes & brands. Products are likely no longer available for sale in stores – check your refrigerator. Full list> https://t.co/4hPELJWChF pic.twitter.com/Xv1JivF611
— U.S. FDA Human Foods Program (@FDAfood) November 18, 2024
Listeria is a dangerous bacterium that can cause infections, particularly for vulnerable groups like young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Symptoms of an infection include fever, headache, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. For pregnant women, Listeria can be even more dangerous, possibly leading to miscarriages or stillbirths. These health risks made the recall even more urgent.
The affected product was sold in Walmart stores across 20 states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
If you purchased the Marketside Broccoli Florets with the affected label, health officials are urging you to not eat it. Instead, you should either throw it away or return it to the store.
Braga Fresh Foods LLC has been working hard to inform stores and consumers. They sent out emails, made phone calls, and even visited retailers to get the word out about the recall.
Meanwhile, the FDA is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the issue is fully addressed and that no further risks remain.
But the recall wasn’t the only food safety concern making headlines in late 2024. Just a month earlier, in November, another recall hit the news—this time for organic carrots. This recall was linked to an E. coli outbreak that was sweeping across the country.
On November 17, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA issued a public alert about the outbreak. They explained that the E. coli contamination was tied to organic whole and baby carrots distributed by Grimmway Farms.
The recall was initially announced on November 16, 2024, but the agencies warned that even though the recalled carrots may no longer be on store shelves, some could still be sitting in people’s refrigerators at home.
As a result, consumers were urged to check their refrigerators for any bags of organic carrots with the brands affected by the recall. If you had any of these carrots in your home, the CDC and FDA advised that you immediately throw them out or return them to the store.
The recall included well-known carrot brands like 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, and even Marketside. Businesses were also warned to stop selling these contaminated products and to sanitize any surfaces or items that may have come in contact with the affected carrots.
As both recalls demonstrate, food safety is a serious concern, and consumers must stay vigilant. Health authorities are continuously working to monitor the situation and prevent further risks. If you think you’ve purchased either of these products, take action right away to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.
A major recall has been issued for organic carrots due to a dangerous E. coli contamination, affecting several popular brands sold across the U.S. If you bought baby or whole organic carrots recently, this could affect you. The recall includes well-known brands like Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Wholesome Pantry.
These carrots were sold with best-if-used-by dates ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024, for baby carrots, and no specific dates listed for the whole carrots, which were sold between August 14 and October 23, 2024.
The outbreak has spread across 18 states, resulting in 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one tragic death. According to interviews with 27 people who got sick, 26 of them had eaten the recalled carrots in the week before they started feeling unwell, confirming the link to the contamination.
States like Minnesota, New York, and Washington saw higher concentrations of cases, while other states like Wyoming, California, and Texas had a more scattered spread.
The culprit behind this outbreak is a strain of E. coli called O121:H19, which produces a dangerous toxin. E. coli infections can lead to severe health problems, especially for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms often appear within three to four days of exposure and include stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
In serious cases, people can develop kidney issues, including a condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure or even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging anyone with severe symptoms—such as persistent diarrhea, dehydration, or a fever over 102°F—to seek medical attention immediately. Fortunately, most people recover without treatment within five to seven days, but some may need hospitalization due to kidney problems.
As E. coli is commonly found in food, water, and even on animals, it can spread easily if food is not handled properly. The CDC recommends a number of preventative steps to reduce the risk of infection. One of the most important is washing your hands thoroughly—at least 20 seconds with soap and water—before, during, and after preparing food. It’s especially crucial after handling raw meat, poultry, or eggs.
Kitchen surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils should be cleaned carefully with hot, soapy water to prevent cross-contamination. And don’t forget to rinse your fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them. The CDC also suggests keeping raw meats separate from other foods and using different cutting boards for raw and ready-to-eat items.
When cooking, it’s essential to check the internal temperature of food using a thermometer. For example, whole cuts of meat should reach 145°F, ground meats should reach 160°F, and poultry should be cooked to 165°F. Leftovers should also be reheated to 165°F. Perishable foods should be refrigerated promptly—within two hours, or one hour if it’s over 90°F outside—and your fridge should be kept at 40°F or lower.
The CDC also warns about potential risks when drinking water from unreliable sources. When camping, hiking, or traveling, make sure your water is properly treated to avoid contamination. And when swimming, avoid swallowing water in lakes, ponds, or pools, especially if you have diarrhea.
To stay safer, always buy milk, juices, and dairy products that are labeled as pasteurized, which kills harmful germs like E. coli. By following these simple steps, you can reduce your risk of E. coli infection and protect yourself and your family from harmful bacteria.
This recall serves as a stark reminder of how easily food can be contaminated and the importance of being vigilant about food safety. Keep an eye on recalls, check your products, and follow the CDC’s advice to ensure your health and well-being.
