New information has come out this week regarding a listeria outbreak that has cause four deaths and one fetal loss – including testing that links pre-cooked pasta meals from Walmart and Trader Joe’s to the outbreak.
Audacy previously reported on the multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in June, after “Chicken Fettucine Alfredo” meals from FreshRealm sold in Walmart and Kroger stores were recalled. Recent updates from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said new testing results had been provided by FreshRealm, a food service company regarding other prepared meal products.
Last Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that linguine pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods was, an ingredient in FreshRealm beef meatball marinara linguine meals, tested positive for Listeria. These bacteria can cause the listeria infection, characterized by symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, elderly people and people with weakened immune systems.
With the update last Friday, two new products were added to the recall:
· “MARKETSIDE LINGUINE WITH BEEF MEATBALLS & MARINARA SAUCE” sold at Walmart in in 12-ounce clear plastic tray packages. These have best if used by dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 29, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 of this year. They also have establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
· “TRADER JOE'S CAJUN STYLE BLACKENED CHICKEN BREAST FETTUCINE ALFREDO” sold at Trader Joe’s in 16-ounce plastic tray packages. These have best if used by dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 27, Sept. 28, Oct. 1, Oct. 3, Oct. 5, Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 of this year. They also have the establishment number “P- 45288” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Additionally, the FDA said a recall of Albertson’s pasta salads has been linked to the outbreak. “Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine” meals in 12.3-ounce containers with a best-by date of June 26, 2025, have also been recalled, along with “Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine” in 32.8-ounce containers with a best-by date of June 27, 2025 and “Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo” in 12.5-ounce containers with best-by date of June 19, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said that it “is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers” and urged anyone who purchased the products to throw them away or return them to their point of purchase.
This Tuesday, the CDC reported that FreshRealm tested a beef meatball linguine marinara meal and found that it was positive for the same strain of Listeria making people sick in the ongoing outbreak.
“Whole genome sequencing results show the Listeria monocytogenes in the pasta is the same strain making people sick. Companies that used certain lots of affected pasta are working to recall food and meals that contain these pastas,” the CDC said.
By Thursday, Nate’s Fine Foods had already recalled certain lots of pre-cooked pasta including fettucine, linguine, and farfalle, per the FDA. These products were not sold direct to retail and the company is working with the FDA to see if other recalls are needed.
As of Wednesday, 20 listeria cases had been reported as part of the outbreak, with the latest reported on Sept. 1. People who have fallen ill live in 14 different states: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
At least seven reported eating pre-cooked meals, with four specifically who reported eating chicken alfredo. Out of 20 people who became sick, 19 were hospitalized, four died and one fetal loss was reported.
Anyone who believes they purchased or came in contact with the affected foods should not eat them. They should also clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the affected foods, said the CDC. Listeria can survive inside refrigerators and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
People who are pregnant, age 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system should contact their healthcare providers immediately if they have symptoms after eating affected foods.
“Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Nate’s Fine Foods at 916-677-7303. Operating hours are between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST Monday through Friday,” said the USDA. Consumers with food safety questions can also call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.