Broccoli Sold at Louisiana Walmarts Could Cause Sickness

A precautionary advisory has been issued by a fresh vegetables and salad company for some of their washed and ready-to-eat broccoli florets distributed at Walmart stores in 20 states, including Louisiana.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the voluntary advisory issued by Braga Fresh applies to a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12 oz. bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets.

The advisory was issued due to the possibility that the produce could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The potential for contamination was discovered during random sampling taken by Texas Human & Health Services at a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result.

According to Braga Fresh, though, no illnesses have been reported. They also noted that the product is now past its 'best if used by' date and is no longer in stores, but some consumers may have frozen the broccoli for later use.

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If you think you may still have any of these potentially contaminated broccoli florets, here is what you should check for:

If you believe you have any of the product, you are advised not to eat it.

The FDA says that listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women," the advisory states.

The advisory does not mention any other products from Marketside or Braga Fresh produce.