The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a recall of ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger stores. The recall is linked to a deadly listeria outbreak that has affected 17 people across 13 states, resulting in three deaths and one pregnancy loss. The contaminated products were produced by FreshRealm, a large food producer with sites in California, Georgia, and Indiana.
The recall includes 32.8-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, 12.3-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine and Broccoli, and 12.5-ounce trays of Home Chef Heat Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. The affected products have best-by dates ranging from June 19 to June 27, 2025, or earlier. The listeria strain linked to the outbreak was identified in patients from August 2024 through May 2025.
During a routine inspection in March, the same strain was found in a sample of chicken fettuccine alfredo, which was subsequently destroyed and never distributed to stores. However, the specific source of the contamination has not yet been determined.
Listeria infections linked to chicken alfredo
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised not to consume them and to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Listeria infections can lead to severe illness, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
According to the CDC, approximately 1,600 people get sick from listeria infections each year, resulting in about 260 deaths. The FSIS encourages consumers in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming listeria-contaminated food to seek medical attention. Additionally, the agency emphasizes the importance of ensuring premade meals are cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful bacteria, including listeria.
The investigation is ongoing to determine if a specific ingredient in the chicken fettuccine alfredo is the source of the outbreak. FSIS and public health officials are working to identify the cause and prevent further illnesses.