Frozen broccoli contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria has been found at Stop & Shop’s store on Ellington Road in South Windsor, and the chain is recalling the product. State food inspectors found the listeria-tainted, 16-ounce “Private Brands Frozen Broccoli Cuts” during a routine test of sample products at the store and the supermarket chain issued the recall on Monday. The product code for this broccoli is “UPC 068826700926” and the packages’ use-by code is “BEST BY MAR 15 2020.” Stop & Shop issued a voluntary recall on the frozen broccoli based on the results of tests done by the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Giant Food Stores, with locations across Maryland, said Wednesday it is voluntarily recalling frozen broccoli under its own label because it may have been contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Private Brand Frozen Broccoli Cuts (16 oz.) with a sell-by date of March 15, 2020 and UPC code 68826700926 are being recalled by the grocery chain after a supplier notified the company of the possible contamination. Giant/Martin’s has removed all affected product from its shelves and urges customers to return the product to their local store for a full refund, according to a news release. While there have been no reports of illnesses to date, the frozen vegetable product is being recalled as a precautionary measure after a product sampled by the state of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria Monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. It’s also particularly dangerous to pregnant women, as it can cause miscarriages and still births. Healthy people usually only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Anyone who has these symptoms are urged to seek medical attention.