The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) is known to cause foodborne illnesses that can lead to product recalls. In 1996, an outbreak traced to unpasteurized apple juice from Odwalla resulted in several illnesses and one death, prompting a nationwide recall of the affected products.
More recently, in January 2025, a recall was initiated for Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, another bacterium that can cause serious infections.
These incidents highlight the importance of stringent food safety practices to prevent bacterial contamination that can lead to recalls and pose health risks to consumers.