une 18,2025.
Listeria Outbreak: What you Need to Know
A multistate outbreak of Listeria infections has prompted a CDC food safety alert, urging caution with certain chicken fettuccine alfredo products. Seventeen individuals across 13 states have fallen ill.
- Seventeen peopel across 13 states have fallen ill.
- Sixteen hospitalizations and three deaths have been reported.
- FreshRealm recalled the meals on June 17, 2025.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections. The outbreak is linked to certain chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The Listeria strain has sickened 17 people across 13 states,with illnesses spanning from July 24,2024,to May 10,2025.
Did you know?–Listeria is not just found in food.It can also live in soil, water, and on animals. contamination can occur at any point during food processing or preparation.
FreshRealm recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals on June 17, 2025. these meals were sold at Kroger and Walmart under the Marketside and Home Chef brand names in those stores’ refrigerated sections. This does not include frozen meals.
What to Do if You Have the Recalled Product
Do not eat recalled foods.
If you have any of the recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo meals, the CDC advises you to throw them away immediately or return them to the place of purchase. This is a crucial step in preventing further spread of the Listeria outbreak.
It is also essential to thoroughly clean your refrigerator, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled food. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and easily spread to other foods and surfaces, posing a continued risk.
Reader question:-If you’ve purchased a recalled product in the past,what steps did you take to ensure your safety and prevent potential illness?
Contact a healthcare provider.
The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms after eating the recalled foods.
Understanding Listeria and Its Symptoms
Listeria is particularly dangerous for specific groups. People aged 65 or older, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
Symptoms of Listeria infection typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, although they may manifest as early as the same day or as late as ten weeks later.
What are the symptoms of Listeria?
Symptoms vary, but can include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
For pregnant women, Listeria can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Those over 65 or with weakened immune systems often require hospitalization and may face fatal outcomes.
If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that stateS health department.
The Role of Food Safety in Preventing Listeriosis
Following the recent Listeria outbreak linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo,understanding the role of food safety practices becomes even more critical. Ensuring food safety involves precautions at every stage, from farm to table-reducing the risk of contamination and protecting public health.
How Listeria Spreads
As previously mentioned, *Listeria monocytogenes* is a hardy bacterium. It can spread through food processing facilities, contaminates food, and can even survive in refrigerated environments [[2]]. This is why food safety protocols are so essential. Foodborne illnesses from *Listeria* are preventable through diligent practices.
How does *Listeria* get into food? Listeria can contaminate food in several ways.
- Environmental Contamination: The bacteria can thrive in soil, water, and on animals [[2]]. Foods can become contaminated from these sources during harvesting or processing.
- Poor Sanitation: Lack of sanitation in food processing facilities is a common reason for Listeria spread. If surfaces are not cleaned and sanitized properly, *Listeria* can linger and contaminate new products.
- Cross-Contamination: Cross-contamination occurs when Listeria is transferred from one food item or surface to another. This is frequently the case when raw and ready-to-eat foods come into contact.
Maintaining food safety is key to minimizing the risk of *Listeria* infections. Proper handling and cooking practices are non-negotiable.
Essential Food Safety Practices
Several practices can minimize the risk of Listeria contamination.
- Proper Cooking: Cook all raw meats and poultry to the correct internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to ensure it is safe.
- Thorough Cleaning: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils frequently, especially after handling raw meats or poultry.
- Safe Storage: Store raw meats separately from ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination.
- Appropriate Temperatures: Keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and be sure to eat perishable food before the expiration date.
Food safety practices are crucial to help reduce the risk of Listeria infection. Everyone involved in food handling, from manufacturers to consumers, plays a vital role.
The Role of Food Manufacturers
Food manufacturers have a critically importent role in food safety. Thay must implement and maintain robust food safety programs to reduce the risk of Listeria contamination. The core of the food safety system should always include the following:
- good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs): These practices dictate how food is produced, processed, and packaged, minimizing the risk of contamination.
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): HACCP systems help identify and control potential hazards in food production, leading to preventive measures that are crucial to avoid contamination.
- Regular Testing: Regular testing of food products and processing environments can definitely help identify contamination early, allowing for corrective actions.
Food manufacturers should adhere to strict food safety protocols. The health of consumers hinges on their dedication and action.
Consumer Awareness and Best Practices
Consumers also play a role in preventing Listeria infection. Along with following the CDC’s advice regarding recalled products, here are some steps consumers can take:
- Read Labels Carefully: Pay attention to “sell-by” or “use-by” dates on food products.
- Properly Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before consumption, even if you plan to peel them.
- Follow Safe food Handling Guidelines: Be aware of cross-contamination risks, and take care when preparing food.
- Be Vigilant: Stay informed about food safety alerts and recalls.
You can considerably lower your individual risk of Listeria infection by following these easy steps. Being informed and proactive in your kitchen goes a long way in protecting your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Listeria and food safety:
Q: What foods are moast likely to contain Listeria?
A: Listeria can contaminate many foods, but it is more common in ready-to-eat foods, such as deli meats, soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk products, and smoked seafood. the recent outbreak underscores the importance of caution with any processed foods.
Q: Can I get *Listeria* from my refrigerator?
A: Yes, Listeria can survive and even grow in the refrigerator [[2]]. Promptly clean up any spills and clean your refrigerator regularly to reduce the risk of contamination. Keep perishable foods for a short time, and always respect expiration dates.
Q: where can I learn about food recalls?
A: You can learn about food recalls from the CDC,the U.S. Food and Drug Governance (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and other reputable sources.
By understanding the sources of *Listeria* contamination and working to adopt better food handling practices, the risk for anyone getting sick can be considerably reduced. From manufacturers to individual consumers, everyone plays a role in assuring food safety. By remaining vigilant and following the advice and guidance from the CDC and other health organizations, it’s easy to protect yourself and your loved ones from this concerning foodborne illness.
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