Three people have died and 17 others have fallen seriously ill across 13 states after consuming contaminated ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at major retailers like Walmart and Kroger.
Key Takeaways
- FreshRealm is recalling pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Kroger and Walmart due to listeria contamination that has been linked to three deaths, one fetal loss, and 17 illnesses across 13 states.
- The recall applies to all chicken alfredo dishes produced before June 17, 2025, with USDA inspection marks and establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718.”
- Listeria infection is particularly dangerous for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, with symptoms appearing within two weeks of consumption.
- Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers, discard these products immediately, or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Federal agencies including the CDC, USDA FSIS, and FDA are actively investigating the outbreak to determine which specific ingredient may be responsible for the contamination.
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Popular Ready-to-Eat Meals
A dangerous outbreak of listeria has been linked to ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo meals manufactured by FreshRealm and sold nationwide at Walmart and Kroger stores. The contaminated products have already claimed three lives and caused one fetal loss, with at least 17 people hospitalized across 13 states. Health officials are warning that the actual number of cases may be significantly higher than what has been reported, as many people recover without medical attention and thus go undiagnosed.
The recall, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), covers all chicken alfredo meals produced before June 17, 2025. The products were manufactured at FreshRealm facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana, and can be identified by the USDA inspection marks with establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718.” These meals were sold in the refrigerated section under popular brands including Marketside at Walmart and Home Chef at Kroger.
Understanding the Health Risks of Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a particularly insidious bacteria that can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations. Unlike many foodborne pathogens, listeria can grow even at refrigeration temperatures, making ready-to-eat foods particularly risky. The infection, known as listeriosis, can take up to two weeks to manifest symptoms, which typically include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. For most healthy adults, the infection may be mild, but for at-risk individuals, it can be deadly.
“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.
Pregnant women face particular dangers from listeria, as the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The CDC reports that approximately 1,600 Americans contract listeriosis each year, with about 260 of those cases resulting in death. This makes proper food handling and prompt response to recalls essential, especially for households with members in high-risk categories.
Ongoing Investigation and Corporate Response
Federal health officials are conducting a thorough investigation to determine exactly how the contamination occurred. The outbreak strain of listeria was identified both in samples from sick individuals and in a routine sample collected from a FreshRealm establishment. This has led investigators to focus on identifying which specific ingredient in the chicken “fettuccine alfredo” may be the source of this particular strain of listeria.
“FreshRealm has notified Walmart and Kroger to remove this meal from their shelves and inventory. Consumers who have purchased the meal should destroy it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund,” declared by FreshRealm.
Despite issuing the recall, FreshRealm has been careful to note that “The recalled product has not been established as a cause of any of these cases.” However, the company is cooperating with authorities and has taken the precautionary step of recalling all potentially affected products. This recall highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in our industrialized food system, where contamination at a single production facility can lead to nationwide health risks.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
In the wake of this recall, consumers should carefully check their refrigerators and freezers for any affected products. The meals were sold in the refrigerated section and designed to be microwaved, though some consumers may have frozen them for later use. Anyone who has purchased these meals should either discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. It’s also advisable to thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the potentially contaminated food.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety vigilance under the Biden administration, where regulatory oversight has been questioned by many conservatives. While convenience foods offer time-saving benefits, they also represent potential health risks when safety protocols fail. As President Trump has consistently emphasized, American families deserve better protection from preventable health threats in our food supply.
