
FDA Escalates Broccoli Recall in Illinois to Highest Threat Level
Early in January, it was revealed that a specific brand of broccoli florets was being recalled due to a bacterial contamination. This weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall to the highest threat level possible, meaning consumption of the affected product could lead to death.
The upgrade in question makes this recall a Class I recall, which is the most serious category of FDA food recalls. It refers to "situations in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," per Fox 32 Chicago.
The recalled product is Braga Fresh Marketside Broccoli Florets, specifically the ready-to-eat 12oz bag, sold exclusively at Walmart. The FDA announced the recall on December 31st, 2024, and has since upgraded its classification.
Braga Fresh released a statement saying:
All potentially affected products are past their expiration date and no longer for sale. This voluntary advisory does not apply to any other Marketside or Braga Fresh produced products. - Braga Foods' statement, per Fox 32 Chicago
This recall only pertains to the 12oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart. The recalled products specifically have a UPC code of "6 81131 32884 5" on the back of the back, and a best-by date of Dec. 10, 2024. The product also contains a lot code of "BFFG327A6."
With that said, the product is past its best-by date, so consumers need not worry that the item is still being sold in stores. Consumers who have this product in their freezers should not consume it and discard it immediately.
The recall was prompted due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes:

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. While healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms, the infection can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, and confusion, and in severe cases, it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening conditions for newborns. If you or someone in your household develops flu-like symptoms after eating the recalled broccoli, it’s important to seek medical care right away - per Tom Drake in his initial piece on the recall in January 2025
The Walmart locations that received the affected products are in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
At this time, there have been no illnesses reported in connection to the product. A spokesperson from Walmart stated they are continuing to prioritize the safety of their customers:
While the expiration date for the potentially impacted Marketside Broccoli Florets has past and the product is no longer in stores, we encourage customers who may still have this product in their homes, such as stored in freezers, to not consume and to discard the product," the spokesperson explained. "At this time, there have been no reported illnesses associated with this advisory, and we are working with the supplier to investigate - per Fox 32 Chicago
Read more about the ongoing recall of broccoli florets on Fox 32 Chicago's website.