A deadly listeria outbreak has been traced back to ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo products, resulting in three fatalities and a miscarriage, according to federal health authorities. FreshRealm, a major food manufacturer with operations in California, Georgia, and Indiana, has issued a recall for the products, which were sold at Kroger and Walmart stores. The outbreak, which started in July of the previous year, has impacted at least 17 people in 13 states, with 16 of them requiring hospitalization.
The recalled items were produced prior to June 17 and include 32.8-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese, and 12.3-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese. The recall also includes 12.5-ounce trays of Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettucine Alfredo with Pasta, Grilled White Meat Chicken and Parmesan Cheese. All products have best-by dates of June 27, June 26, and June 19 or earlier.
The listeria strain responsible for the outbreak was found in a sample of chicken fettuccine alfredo during a routine inspection in March, as reported by the US Agriculture Department. The contaminated product was destroyed and never made it to store shelves. However, the exact source of the contamination remains unknown. Cases have been traced through retail shopper records and interviews with affected individuals.
The listeria strain has been detected in individuals who became ill between July 24 of last year and May 10 of this year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The deaths occurred in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, with cases reported in 13 states in total. The CDC expects that the number of affected individuals may be higher than currently reported and that additional states may be impacted.
Consumers are urged not to consume the recalled products, which may still be in their refrigerators or freezers. These items should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. Listeria infections can cause severe illness, particularly in older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women or their newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Approximately 1,600 people contract listeria infections annually, with about 260 resulting in death, according to the CDC. In response to several high-profile outbreaks, federal officials announced in December that they were revising protocols to prevent listeria infections.