A deeply sorrowful Listeria outbreak has lovingly spurred an urgent, compassionate recall of certain chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger across the nation. This grave concern has tenderly impacted 17 lives with reported illnesses, heartbreakingly resulting in three losses and one pregnancy tragedy. Listeria, a formidable and life-threatening bacterium, gently demands immediate attention and care. With heartfelt urgency, this guide seeks to protect families, offering clear, kind steps to ensure safety and nurture well-being with love and vigilance.
With heartfelt concern, this guide lovingly shares everything you need to know about the recall, its importance, and simple steps to stay safe, ensuring families can protect their loved ones with kindness and vigilance.
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Prompts Chicken Fettuccine Recall
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Products | Chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals from the Marketside and Home Chef brands |
| Health Risk | Listeria can cause severe illness or death, particularly for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems |
| Action for Consumers | Check packaging and dispose or return the affected products immediately |
| Packaging Details | Affected meals are sold in 12.3 oz (Marketside) and 12.5 oz (Home Chef) plastic trays |
| Retail Distribution | Products were distributed through Walmart and Kroger locations nationwide |
The deeply heartfelt chicken fettuccine Alfredo recall shines as a gentle, urgent call to protect our cherished loved ones from Listeria’s grave dangers. With tender care, consumers are warmly urged to lovingly inspect their products, wholeheartedly follow safety guidelines, and promptly dispose of affected meals with kindness. This compassionate step safeguards families and communities, nurturing health, safety, and peace of mind with unwavering vigilance and boundless love.
As always, following proper food safety guidelines is essential to prevent foodborne illness. Staying informed about food recalls and practicing vigilance in food handling can keep you and your loved ones safe.
What’s Happening: A Nationwide Chicken Fettuccine Recall
FreshRealm, a California-based food company, initiated a recall for several chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals after Listeria monocytogenes was found in the products. These meals were sold under the Marketside and Home Chef brands at major grocery chains, Walmart and Kroger, across the United States.
The FDA and CDC issued a public health alert after laboratory testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a routine sample collected in March 2025. This recall comes after 17 cases were reported across 13 states, with 16 hospitalizations, and sadly, three deaths, including a miscarriage associated with the infection.
What Is Listeria and Why Is It Dangerous?
Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that sparks the serious illness listeriosis, gently poses a unique challenge. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria thrives in the cool embrace of refrigerated temperatures (32°F to 40°F), making it a heartfelt concern in ready-to-eat and chilled foods like deli meats, cheeses, and lovingly prepared meals. With tender care, this knowledge urges us to handle and store food thoughtfully, protecting our families and communities with kindness and vigilance to ensure every meal brings safety and joy.
Listeria is most dangerous for certain groups of people, including:
- Pregnant women: Listeria infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious health problems for newborns.
- Newborns and infants: Listeria can lead to life-threatening infections in infants born to infected mothers.
- Older adults: Those over 65 have weaker immune systems and are more susceptible to Listeria infections.
- People with weakened immune systems: Individuals with chronic diseases or those on medications that suppress the immune system are at higher risk.
Symptoms of Listeriosis:
- Fever and muscle aches
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance
- Convulsions
Symptoms may appear anywhere from two days to two months after consuming contaminated food. Pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, but Listeria can still cause serious complications for their babies, including premature delivery or life-threatening infections.
What Should Consumers Do?
If you have recently purchased chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals from Walmart or Kroger, here’s what you need to do immediately:
- Check Your Product Packaging:
- Check the best-by dates on the affected products, which range from June 19, 2025 to June 27, 2025.
- The affected products come in 12.3 oz and 12.5 oz trays under the Marketside and Home Chef brands.
- Also, verify the Establishment Numbers printed on the packaging:
- P-50784
- P-47770
- P-47718
- Do Not Consume the Product: If your product matches any of the recalled items, do not eat it. The Listeria monocytogenes infection poses a significant health risk, especially for high-risk groups like pregnant women and the elderly.
- Return or Dispose of the Product Safely:
- Return the product to the store for a full refund.
- If returning the product isn’t possible, safely dispose of it to prevent others from accidentally consuming it.
- Clean Your Refrigerator and Kitchen Surfaces: Thoroughly clean your refrigerator, including the shelves, and any containers that may have come into contact with the affected meals. Listeria can survive in cold temperatures and may spread to other foods and surfaces.
- Monitor for Symptoms: If you or someone in your household has consumed the recalled products, monitor for symptoms of Listeriosis. If you experience symptoms, especially if you’re pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system, seek medical attention immediately.
Why Listeria Contamination Happens
Listeria contamination can gently arise when food is not handled, processed, or stored with the tender care it deserves. Often, Listeria monocytogenes lingers in food during production, spreading through cross-contamination or insufficient refrigeration. With heartfelt concern, this reminds us to nurture safe food practices, protecting our loved ones and communities by ensuring every meal is prepared and kept with kindness, vigilance, and love for health and well-being.
In the case of the recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals, FreshRealm’s routine sample collection found the Listeria strain, leading to the discovery and subsequent recall. Ensuring safe handling and thorough cooking of food is essential to prevent Listeria and other foodborne illnesses.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Listeriosis?
While recalls like these are necessary to remove contaminated products from stores, it’s important to practice general food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses:
1. Store Food Properly
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or lower. Ensure that ready-to-eat meals are kept in airtight containers to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
- Ensure leftovers are stored promptly and kept below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth.
2. Clean and Sanitize Your Kitchen Regularly
- Clean all surfaces, including cutting boards, knives, and refrigerator shelves, after preparing meals, especially when handling ready-to-eat foods.
- Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw foods (like meat) and ready-to-eat foods.
3. Be Careful with High-Risk Foods
- Pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems should avoid unpasteurized dairy products, deli meats, and ready-to-eat meals unless thoroughly cooked.
4. Cook Foods Thoroughly
- Cook meats to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to kill harmful bacteria. Make sure hot foods stay hot (above 140°F) and cold foods stay cold.
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The Role of the FDA and CDC in Recalls
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) work together to investigate outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and issues like Listeria contamination. These agencies help track the source of the illness, provide consumer alerts, and ensure manufacturers issue recalls when necessary.
After FreshRealm detected Listeria in their product, both the FDA and CDC quickly intervened to alert the public and initiate a recall to prevent further contamination.
FAQs
1. What are the symptoms of Listeriosis?
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and in severe cases, headache, neck stiffness, and confusion.
2. How do I know if my chicken fettuccine is affected?
The affected chicken fettuccine meals were sold under Marketside (Walmart) and Home Chef (Kroger) brands, with best-by dates from June 19, 2025, to June 27, 2025. Check for establishment numbers P-50784, P-47770, or P-47718.
3. What should I do if I have the recalled product?
Do not consume the product. Return it to the store for a refund or safely dispose of it. Clean your refrigerator and kitchen surfaces thoroughly.
4. Is it safe to eat the product if it’s been cooked or frozen?
No, Listeria can survive freezing and cooking. It’s important to dispose of any affected products regardless of whether they have been cooked or frozen.
5. How can I prevent Listeriosis in the future?
Store foods at the proper temperature, avoid unpasteurized dairy, wash hands and surfaces regularly, and cook meats to 165°F to prevent Listeria and other foodborne illnesses.
