A listeria outbreak linked to heat-and-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo products has resulted in three deaths and one pregnancy loss, according to federal health officials. The products, sold at Kroger and Walmart stores, have been recalled by FreshRealm, a large food producer with facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana. The outbreak, which began in July of last year, has affected at least 17 people across 13 states, with 16 of those individuals requiring hospitalization.
The recalled products were manufactured before 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. Also included in the recall are 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, respectively.
The listeria strain responsible for the outbreak was discovered in a sample of chicken fettuccine alfredo during a routine inspection in March, according to the US Agriculture Department. The contaminated product was destroyed and never reached store shelves. However, the specific source of the contamination has yet to be identified. Cases have been traced through retail shopper records and interviews with affected individuals.
The listeria strain has been found in individuals who fell ill between July 24 of last year and May 10 of this year, as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The fatalities occurred in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, with cases reported in 13 states in total. The CDC anticipates that the number of affected individuals may be higher than currently reported and that additional states may be impacted.
Consumers are advised 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, especially 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.