FDA and CDC warn consumers as recalled heat-and-eat meals sold at Kroger and Walmart are tied to multiple hospitalizations, one pregnancy loss, and ongoing risks.
Listeria test
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A multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has resulted in three deaths, one fetal loss, and at least 16 hospitalizations, prompting a national recall of ready-to-eat chicken alfredo products distributed at Kroger and Walmart locations, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The three fatalities have been reported in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas.1
As of June 18, 2025, the outbreak has affected 17 individuals across 13 states, with illnesses reported from July 24, 2024, to May 10, 2025. Confirmed cases have occurred in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.1
The source of contamination has not been definitively identified, but a routine USDA inspection in March 2025 isolated the outbreak strain from a sample of chicken fettucine alfredo. The product was destroyed before retail distribution. However, consumer purchase data and patient interviews have linked several infections to alfredo-based meals manufactured by FreshRealm, a food production company with facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana.1
The manufacturer has issued a voluntary recall of the following products made prior to June 17:1
A multistate listeria outbreak has caused three deaths, one pregnancy loss, and 16 hospitalizations across 13 states.
The outbreak is linked to recalled chicken alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart under the Marketside and Home Chef brands.
Federal officials warn contamination may still be ongoing and advise consumers to discard affected meals with best-by dates through late June.
All products were sold in refrigerated sections at Kroger and Walmart stores. The CDC cautions consumers to discard or return any affected products, noting that further cases may emerge as investigations continue.“Officials are concerned that contamination is still occurring,” the CDC stated in a public health alert.1
Listeria monocytogenes infection can lead to severe disease, particularly among pregnant individuals, neonates, older adults, and immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations include febrile gastroenteritis, meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis. In pregnancy, listeriosis may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or neonatal infection.2
Approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the US, with an estimated 260 fatalities. The agency has emphasized that the actual case count for this outbreak is likely higher than currently reported.2
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for listeriosis in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and recent consumption of prepackaged meals. Diagnostic workup may include blood or CSF cultures, and prompt antimicrobial treatment is recommended for confirmed or suspected cases.1
This incident follows a similarly deadly outbreak in 2024 linked to Listeria monocytogenes contamination of Boar’s Head deli meats, which resulted in 10 deaths and 59 hospitalizations across 19 states. That outbreak prompted the CDC to issue new guidance on deli meat safety and called attention to persistent risks associated with ready-to-eat refrigerated foods.3 The recurrence of such outbreaks underscores the urgent need for improved food safety surveillance, sanitation protocols, and consumer education on listeriosis prevention.
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