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A recent broccoli recall may have put a lot of New Years Eve party guests at risk. A popular brand of bagged broccoli was recently recalled due to the potential presence of the life-threatening bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. A germ known for serious illness in those who are not pregnant and tragic consequences for those who are.
Was there broccoli on the veggie tray at your New Years Eve festivities?
Here’s what we know about the broccoli recall and what to look out for if you consumed this product.
Braga Fresh, producer of the recalled Marketside Broccoli Florets, issued a voluntary recall on December 27, 2024. This recall was voluntary, and a precautionary advisory was published due to the nature of the product.
Recalled product includes the 12 oz bags of washed and ready-to-eat Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart Stores. Product bears the UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 with lot code: BFFG327A6 and a Best if Used By Date Dec 10, 2024.
Marketside Broccoli Florets
12 oz bags, washed and ready-to-eat
UPC: 6 81131 32884 5
Lot: BFFG327A6
Best if Used By: Dec 10, 2024
Affected product was distributed to the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
While the product is beyond the indicated best if used by date and no longer available for purchase in stores, the company understands that “consumers may have frozen the item for later use.” The product may have been used in holiday dishes or party trays leading up to end of the year gatherings.
At this time, this voluntary advisory does not include any other Marketside or Braga Fresh produced products.
The recall was initiated following routine sampling activities conducted by the Texas Health and Human Services. Positive results for the harmful pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, were obtained from samples obtained from a Texas store location.
These sampling activities are aimed at identifying potential problems that make it to the public.
This broccoli recall advisory brings attention to the potential dangers associated with pre-washed produce.
Of course, prewashed, ready-to-eat produce is a huge convenience. Whether you are using it for party trays, adding to salads, or even using it in dishes you intend to cook. Being able to skip the time consuming step of washing and drying your produce is a big incentive for selecting that bagged option.
But there is an added danger. Or rather, risk.
When you purchase a product that indicates that you don’t have to wash it and that it is safe right out of the bag, you likely believe it. How often do people actually wash broccoli or lettuce that says it is prewashed and ready-to-eat?
Likely few.
If any.
That is where the added danger comes in.
For a product to be labeled prewashed and ready-to-eat, the processor is obligated to thoroughly wash the items. The expectation is that it is safe to consume and free from adulterants.
But mistakes happen. Contamination happens.
Controls should be put into place. But errors occur.
In-house testing should be routine. But errors occur.
When things go wrong, pathogens can sneak in and multiply.
People get sick.
According to the advisory, “to date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.”
Is that true though?
There is no data to suggest that this broccoli recall advisory is connected to the newly announced active Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation. But time will tell.
An active Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation was added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreak’s table on December 26, 2024.
So far there have been 31 connected cases to a “not yet identified” food source. Traceback investigation activities have been initiated, but no sampling has been performed or site visits conducted.
Federal and local investigations are likely making connections between outbreak patients through interview data and laboratory analysis.
Only time will tell if this broccoli recall advisory is linked to that outbreak investigation.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 of those die from the illness.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, most normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
Listeria bacteria cause a complicated range of symptoms. These symptoms, like most bacterial infections, can cause either mild or severe illness. But a uniquely dangerous complication affects those who are pregnant.
Listeria infections often cause intestinal illness but can evolve to potentially system-wide problems if the bacteria leave the digestive system and attack other parts of the body.
One of the most common symptom profiles of Listeria illness involves intestinal illness. Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms often resolve within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Invasive listeriosis affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
People who are not pregnant often experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Fever and muscle aches are also possible symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment and often need hospitalization. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have fallen sick from eating broccoli recall products, you may have a legal case.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families in situations just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illness. When a company becomes negligent, people become sick.
If you have become sick after eating affected broccoli recall products, you should get advice. An experienced Listeria lawyer can help navigate you through the legal process.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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