Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked To Heat-And-Eat Chicken Fettucine Alfredo

A deadly listeria outbreak has been traced to chicken alfredo fettuccine products sold at Kroger and Walmart stores, leading to three deaths and one pregnancy loss. The outbreak, affecting at least 17 people across 13 states, began in August 2024, according to federal health officials.

The contaminated products, produced by FreshRealm, include Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine and Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. These items were distributed nationwide and have been voluntarily recalled. FreshRealm has urged consumers to discard or return any affected products with best-by dates of June 27 or earlier for Marketside and June 19 or earlier for Home Chef.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food Safety Inspection Service are investigating the outbreak. The same strain of listeria was found in a sample during a routine inspection in March, but that product was destroyed before reaching stores.

Listeria infections can cause severe illness, particularly in older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and confusion. The CDC estimates that about 1,600 people contract listeria annually, resulting in approximately 260 deaths.

Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled products and to contact FreshRealm’s customer service for further information. More details from the CDC are expected as the investigation continues.