The FDA has issued its highest-level Class I recall for Walmart’s broccoli products due to a dangerous listeria outbreak that could be deadly. This major safety alert covers more than 35,000 bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold in 20 states, including Texas, California, and Arizona. Listeria infections strike about 1,600 Americans yearly. These infections can become life-threatening, especially for older adults and pregnant women. Many consumers might still have contaminated products in their freezers, so it’s vital to check all purchased items now. People who eat contaminated food may experience several symptoms. These include high fever, severe headaches, confusion, and loss of balance. Anyone showing these signs needs medical care immediately.
FDA Upgrades Walmart Broccoli Alert to Highest Risk Level
The FDA has lifted the Braga Fresh broccoli recall to its highest threat level. The agency has classified this as a “Class I” recall that indicates consuming these products could lead to serious health issues or death.
The FDA’s January 27, 2025 report shows this recall affects 35,508 bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets. Braga Fresh announced this voluntary recall on December 27, 2024. The affected products can be identified by:
- UPC Code: 6 81131 32884 5
- Lot Code: BFFG327A6
- Best if Used By Date: December 10, 2024
- Package Size: 12-ounce bags
These products have passed their expiration date and aren’t in stores anymore. The FDA worries that some consumers might have frozen the broccoli to use later. The recall impacts Walmart stores in twenty states from Alaska to Wyoming.
The FDA upgraded this classification through their routine recall assessment process, as shown in their Enforcement Report for January 29, 2025. After completing the hazard evaluation, the agency assigned this highest-risk designation due to the serious risks of potential listeria contamination.
Listeria Outbreak Spreads Beyond Initial Reports
A new report shows a massive listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli products has affected 61 people across 19 states. The outbreak led to 60 hospitalizations and 10 deaths. The crisis started in July 2024 at a Virginia-based facility where federal inspectors found serious violations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture report pointed to “inadequate sanitation practices” as the biggest problem. The inspection team found dead insects, dripping ceilings, mildew, and black mold near production machines. So Boar’s Head recalled their ready-to-eat liverwurst products on July 26, 2024. The recall grew to include over 7 million pounds of deli meat by July 30.
The outbreak’s impact has triggered major legal action. Law firm Marler Clark has filed several lawsuits against Boar’s Head, including a USD 10 million compensation claim and multiple wrongful death suits. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Rosa DeLauro have asked the USDA and Justice Department to look into potential criminal charges.
Key numbers about the outbreak show:
- Patient ages ranged from 32 to 95 years, with a median age of 77
- Deaths happened in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina
- This is the largest listeria incident since 2011
Boar’s Head shut down its Jarratt plant permanently and stopped all liverwurst production in September 2024. The CDC keeps watching the situation as this stands as the deadliest listeria outbreak since the 2011 cantaloupe-related incident.
CDC Issues Emergency Guidelines for Consumers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued urgent guidelines as the listeria crisis grows. Medical experts stress you should take action right away if you’ve eaten potentially contaminated products, especially when you have symptoms of infection.
Several groups face higher risks:
- Pregnant women
- Adults aged 65 or older
- People with weakened immune systems
- Young children
You need medical care right away if you experience fever along with muscle aches. The CDC points out that symptoms usually show up between 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food. These signs might appear the same day or take up to 70 days to develop.
You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop severe symptoms like a stiff neck, intense headache, or confusion. The CDC also wants you to clean your refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that might have touched recalled products thoroughly.
Doctors treat the infection with antibiotics, and sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin work well against it. They recommend rest, staying hydrated, and eating light meals to manage symptoms. People with mild symptoms might get better without medical help, but keeping an eye on your condition is vital.
Public health officials are looking into this outbreak to stop it from spreading and to create better prevention plans. The CDC watches the situation closely and updates its guidelines whenever they learn more about contamination sources and infection patterns.
Conclusion
The listeria outbreak has become one of the biggest food safety threats we’ve seen lately. Contaminated Walmart broccoli and Boar’s Head deli meats have triggered an unprecedented health crisis. This has affected thousands of Americans, with the FDA issuing its highest-level recall after 60 people were hospitalized and 10 died.
The CDC’s emergency guidelines are helping protect people at risk. These safety measures are vital to protect pregnant women, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. Every household needs to check their frozen products, sanitize properly, and watch for symptoms.
Doctors emphasize that treating listeria infections quickly saves lives. The outbreak has spread to 19 states, showing how regular grocery items can become deadly threats. People should get medical help right away if they have fever, muscle aches, or severe headaches. Early treatment gives patients the best chance to recover.
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