Some Walmart, Trader Joe’s pasta meals may be contaminated with listeria linked to deadly outbreak, USDA says

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a warning to consumers regarding certain ready-to-eat pasta meals that are being sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s stores. These meals may be contaminated with listeria bacteria, which has previously been linked to a deadly outbreak associated with pre-made chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a public health alert for Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce sold at Walmart in 12-ounce clear plastic trays with best-by dates between Sept. 22 and Oct. 1. Additionally, the FSIS has added Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo to the alert, with “best if used by” dates of Sept. 20, Sept. 24, or Sept. 27.

The affected Walmart meals have establishment numbers “EST. 50784” and “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label. These products were distributed to Walmart stores nationwide. Consumers who have purchased these meals are urged to discard them and can receive a full refund at any Walmart store.

While there have been no reported illness complaints related to these products, FreshRealm, the food producer that distributed the meals, advised Walmart to remove them from shelves. The meals may contain the same strain of listeria that caused an outbreak tied to chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger stores. This previous outbreak resulted in four deaths and at least 20 illnesses.

FreshRealm conducted tests that detected listeria in the linguine used in the meatball dish, and the strain matched the listeria identified in the chicken fettuccine Alfredo outbreak. The source of the listeria is believed to be an ingredient supplied by a third party, specifically Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California.

Listeria infections can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women or their newborns. Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

It is important for consumers to be vigilant about food safety and to follow any recall or health alerts issued by regulatory agencies like the USDA and CDC. By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, individuals can protect themselves and their families from potential foodborne illnesses.