A deadly listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meals from popular retailers has wreaked havoc in American communities, forcing a nationwide recall..
Contaminated chicken fettuccine Alfredo products manufactured by FreshRealm and sold by Walmart and Kroger have claimed three lives and caused one fetal loss.
Additionally, the outbreak has sickened 17 people across 13 states, so Americans should immediately check their refrigerators and freezers for the contaminated meals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall after linking the meals to the dangerous outbreak.
FreshRealm facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana are voluntarily recalling their chicken fettuccine Alfredo products.
The meals were distributed nationally under the Home Chef brand at Kroger and the Marketside brand at Walmart stores.
Health officials are warning consumers that the contaminated products may still be in Americans’ homes.
“FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” the agency stated in its announcement, urging immediate action from the public.
The outbreak has proven particularly severe, with 16 of the 17 reported cases requiring hospitalization.
Texas has been hit hardest with three cases, followed by Michigan with two cases.
Other affected states include Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.
“There is one pregnancy associated illness in a mother that resulted in a fetal loss,” FSIS reported in its statement, highlighting the particular danger listeria poses to pregnant women.
Consumers should check for Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine and Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo products with expiration dates of June 27, 2025, or earlier.
The affected items bear USDA inspection marks with establishment numbers EST. P-50784, EST. P-47770, and EST. P-47718.
Anyone who has purchased these products should discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase.
Despite the serious health consequences, FreshRealm has attempted to downplay its responsibility.
FreshRealm claimed the recall was made “out of an abundance of caution,” adding that it “has not received any direct reports of illness associated with the product.”
The FSIS investigation remains ongoing, as officials work to determine whether “a specific ingredient in the chicken fettuccine Alfredo may be the source of this strain of Listeria.”
The outbreak strain was identified during routine testing at a FreshRealm facility, but the exact source of contamination has not yet been pinpointed.
Listeria poisoning can cause severe symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and gastrointestinal issues.
The infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention.
While listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, the current outbreak highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in America’s supply chain.
Consumers with questions can contact FreshRealm’s customer service or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline for more information as the investigation continues.
