Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Outbreaks & Recalls on June 19, 2025
Deadly Listeria outbreak linked to fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger prompts recall for prepared meals.
A Listeria outbreak that has been on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) radar since early April finally has a source. Some of the products may still be in our homes.
Here’s what we know so far!
Several food safety regulatory agencies, including the FDA have been investigating an evasive Listeria outbreak since early April.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local partners have been working to track down a source of this deadly Listeria outbreak.
So far, there have been 17 reported illnesses in this outbreak across 13 states. Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. As of June 18, 2025, nearly all (16 people) were hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. One pregnancy associated illness resulted in fetal loss.
While the last reported illness onset was May 10, 2025, other illness may be connected to the outbreak. It can take several weeks between a person consuming contaminated food and becoming sick to connecting them with an ongoing foodborne outbreak.
Sadly, we may see these case counts increase as more data comes in.
Patient interviews are an important starting point for foodborne illness outbreak investigations.
When people become sick and their sample is linked to a cluster of illnesses, overlapping patient interview information can link otherwise unconnected cases together.
For example, if a person in Texas became sick with the same Listeria strain as a person in Illinois, and they both ate the same brand of fettuccine alfredo meals, the FDA can begin the process of collecting samples from manufacturing facilities. If the same strain of Listeria is found at the manufacturing facility, in this case FreshRealm, a source has now been identified. Additional measures can be taken to remove the product from the market through recalls and suspension of production activities. Measures that will hopefully prevent further illnesses associated with the outbreak.
Unfortunately, not all patients are available for interview. Some may be too sick to participate in the traceback interview process. Others may have tragically died before they could be questioned.
Of the 11 outbreak patients interviewed, seven (64%) reported eating precooked meals. Of those reporting that they ate precooked meals, four (57%) specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo.
Investigators had a strong common thread, so they followed this lead back through the supply chain to the manufacturing establishments where the indicated food was produced.
The outbreak strain of Listeria was discovered during routine sampling activities of FreshRealm’s products. Their chicken fettuccine alfredo samples that the agency collected on March 19, 2025 tested positive for the outbreak strain. However, this product was not distributed into the food supply. So it was not subject to recall.
Purchase documentation, often achieved through receipts or shopper cards, linked two outbreak patients to chicken fettuccine alfredo products made by FreshRealm establishments.
Two other patients verbally described chicken fettuccine alfredo products they purchased. Those descriptions match FreshRealm chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at retail stores where those outbreak patients shopped.
The FDA initiated multiple inspections at FreshRealm facilities and at facilities that made some of the ingredients FreshRealm used to make their chicken fettuccine alfredo products.
Unfortunately, the outbreak strain of Listeria was not found during this part of the investigation. Therefore, FDA and FSIS are still not able to determine the source of contamination for this product.
The investigation is ongoing, while all agencies “continue to collect information to determine what additional steps are needed to protect public health.”
In the meantime, FreshRealm initiated a voluntary recall for products assembled in their San Clemente, California; Montezuma, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana manufacturing locations.
FreshRealm, Inc. issued a recall on June 17, 2025 for select best-by dates of their pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart under the Marketside and Home Chef brands. Some of these products are still in date and may be in consumers’ home refrigerators or freezers.
Recalled product includes:
Products will bear the Establishment number “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718” on the label in the USDA mark of inspection.
These products were sold in the refrigerated section of grocery stores prior to June 17, 2025, and intended to be microwaved before eating.
If consumers are unsure if they have purchased recalled product, they are advised to contact their point of purchase retailer.
Listeria bacteria cause a complicated range of symptoms in an illness known as listeriosis. These symptoms, like most bacterial infections, can cause either mild or severe illnesses.
A uniquely dangerous complication, however, affects those who are pregnant.
Initial Listeria infections general cause intestinal illness. However, complications arise if bacteria leave the digestive system and attack other parts of the body.
One of the most common forms of Listeria illness involves intestinal illness. Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms often resolve within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve into a more invasive illness.
Invasive listeriosis affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. Both often begin around two weeks after exposure.
Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death.
Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have become sick after eating fettuccine alfredo meals, especially if you experienced a serious illness, you may have a legal case.
Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness add up. An experienced Listeria Lawyer can help recover those costs, help you navigate the legal process, and hold those liable for your illness accountable.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Listeria Lawyer that can help! The firm has won millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability cases for families in situations just like yours.
Call (833) 330-3663 today, or submit your information on the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)