Broccoli sold at Walmart is being recalled over fears it may be contaminated with the deadly Listeria bacteria.
The FDA revealed that routine testing of 12-ounce bags of Marketside broccoli florets, sold in 20 states, had detected the microorganism in one batch.
None of the broccoli included in the recall remains on grocery store shelves, but officials fear they may still be hiding in customers’ freezers.
People have been urged to throw away contaminated broccoli or return it to stores for a full refund.
To date, no illnesses or deaths have been reported at the recall, but officials urge anyone who believes they became ill from broccoli to report their illness.
Listeria is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and newborns, where it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
It is also particularly dangerous for older adults who have weaker immune systems.
A batch of 12-ounce broccoli florets sold at Walmart for $2.47 each is being recalled over fears it may be contaminated with listeria.
In revealing the recall, officials said testing by the Texas Department of Health had detected the bacteria in one of several lots sold in their state.
Broccoli has been sold in 20 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
It has a best before date of December 10 and a lot code, which is printed on the front of the bag, of BFFG327A6.
The broccoli was manufactured by Braga Fresh, which sells vegetables such as salads, celery and parsley to major grocery stores.
In 2022, Walmart named Braga Fresh its produce supplier of the year.
Listeria can contaminate everything from raw vegetables to unpasteurized dairy products and deli meats, and is behind about 47 recalls each year.
It causes the disease listeriosis, and while healthy people may have only a short-term illness, pregnant women, newborns, and older people are at risk of serious infections.
Symptoms that healthy people may experience include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In more severe cases, it can cause confusion, loss of balance, and seizures if it spreads to the nervous system.
Every year about 1,600 people are infected with listeria.
Listeria contamination was behind several major recalls last year, including a recall of 10 million pounds of beef and poultry used in ready-to-eat meals.
It was also behind a major product recall from Boar’s Head, whose outbreak led to 10 deaths and 61 people sickened by contaminated deli meats.