A listeria outbreak associated with premade chicken pasta meals sold at Walmart and Kroger has resulted in three deaths and sickened at least 17 others across 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
FreshRealm, the manufacturer of the chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals, has initiated a nationwide recall following confirmation of the contamination. These products have since been removed from store shelves, the CDC confirmed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified illnesses linked to the outbreak in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Among the affected was a pregnant woman whose illness resulted in fetal loss.
The recall specifically includes these products:
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo (32.8-ounce tray) with fettucine, Alfredo sauce, white meat chicken, and shaved Parmesan cheese (best-by date of June 27, 2025, or earlier).
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo (12.3-ounce tray) containing broccoli (best-by date of June 26, 2025, or earlier).
Home Chef “Heat & Eat” Chicken Fettucine Alfredo (12.5-ounce tray) with grilled chicken and Parmesan cheese (best-by date of June 19, 2025, or earlier).
The recalled meals were sold refrigerated under the brand names Marketside and Home Chef. FreshRealm produces food products at facilities located in California, Georgia, and Indiana.
Health authorities advise consumers not to eat the recalled products and recommend thoroughly cleaning refrigerators and surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated meals. Listeria bacteria can survive in refrigeration and spread easily to other foods.
Listeria typically causes mild or no symptoms in healthy adults. However, infections can be severe or fatal in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, individuals aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems. Typical symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The CDC notes that approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the US, resulting in about 260 deaths.
Health officials are still investigating the precise source of contamination. The Food Safety and Inspection Service previously detected the same strain of listeria at a FreshRealm facility in March 2025.
This incident is the latest in several recent listeria-related recalls, including recalls involving baked goods sold at Dunkin’ earlier this year and frozen shakes supplied to healthcare facilities. Last year, an outbreak linked to deli meats from Boar’s Head resulted in 10 deaths.
Both the FDA and the FSIS continue to investigate and monitor the situation closely to protect public health.
With input from the New York Times and FOX Business.
