Deadly listeria outbreak linked to popular Walmart and Kroger ready-to-eat chicken meals has already claimed three lives and caused one fetal loss across 13 states, prompting an urgent nationwide recall.
Key Takeaways
- FreshRealm is recalling all chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger produced before June 17, 2025, due to listeria contamination that has killed three people and sickened 17 others.
- The contaminated products bear USDA inspection marks with establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718” and were manufactured in California, Georgia, and Indiana facilities.
- Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk from listeria infection, which can cause severe illness and death.
- Consumers should immediately check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
- The CDC, USDA, and FDA are investigating to determine which specific ingredient in the chicken fettuccine alfredo is the source of the outbreak.
Deadly Outbreak Prompts Nationwide Recall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a massive recall of ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at major retailers Walmart and Kroger. The products, manufactured by FreshRealm at facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana, have been linked to a listeria outbreak that has already caused three deaths, one fetal loss, and 17 illnesses across 13 states. Government officials are taking immediate action as the outbreak highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in our nation’s food supply chain.
The recall targets all FreshRealm chicken fettuccine alfredo products produced before June 17, 2025, which were sold under the Marketside brand at Walmart and the Home Chef brand at Kroger. These items were distributed nationwide and can be identified by USDA inspection marks with establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718.” The meals were sold in the refrigerated section, ready for microwave heating, though some consumers may have frozen them for later consumption.
Health Risks and Vulnerable Populations
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for this outbreak, poses a serious health threat, particularly to specific segments of the population. Older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women face the highest risk of severe complications. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms like fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, vulnerable populations can develop life-threatening infections that spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract to the nervous system.
“FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” according to FSIS.
For pregnant women, the consequences can be especially devastating. “Though they may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms themselves, listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn,” according to the CDC, approximately 1,600 Americans contract listeriosis annually, with about 260 deaths. However, the agency notes that the true number of affected individuals in this outbreak may be higher than currently reported.
Investigation Underway
Federal agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and USDA FSIS, have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact source of contamination. The outbreak strain of listeria was identified in samples from sick individuals and also detected during routine sampling at a FreshRealm facility. While the company has initiated a voluntary recall, questions remain about how contamination occurred and whether it might affect other products manufactured in the same facilities.
“The recalled product has not been established as a cause of any of these cases,” declared by FreshRealm.
Despite this cautious statement from FreshRealm, FSIS officials are working diligently to “identify whether a specific ingredient in the chicken fettucine alfredo may be the source of this strain of Lm.” This investigation highlights the complex nature of our food supply chain and the challenges in maintaining safety standards across multiple manufacturing facilities. The recall serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with ready-to-eat foods, which require stringent quality control measures to prevent contamination.
Consumer Guidance
Consumers who have purchased FreshRealm chicken fettuccine alfredo products should check their refrigerators and freezers immediately. Health officials emphasize that these items should not be consumed under any circumstances. Anyone who has purchased the affected products should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Additionally, consumers should thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated food, as listeria can survive and spread in refrigerated environments.
Individuals who have consumed these products and are experiencing symptoms of listeria infection should seek medical attention promptly. Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can develop as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after exposure. Early treatment is crucial, especially for those in high-risk groups. This outbreak serves as yet another example of why strong food safety protocols and effective regulatory oversight remain essential for protecting public health.
