San Clemente, Calif. — A recall of ready-to-eat meals, distributed by FreshRealm and sold at retailers such as Walmart and Kroger, is prompting serious health concerns following reports of three fatalities and 17 illnesses linked to listeria. The outbreak has affected 13 states, with symptoms detected in individuals from mid-June.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is actively investigating the outbreak, tracing the contaminated products back to FreshRealm facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana. On Tuesday, the FSIS announced the recall, which includes several varieties of the ready-to-eat meals shipped nationwide.
Among the items being recalled are 32.8-ounce tray packages of “Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine,” 12.5-ounce tray packages of “Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo,” and 12.3-ounce tray packages of another version of the chicken fettuccine alfredo. All of these products carry a best-by date of June 2025 or earlier and feature the USDA inspection mark along with specific establishment numbers.
The agency has urged consumers who may have purchased these items, particularly those that have been frozen, to dispose of them immediately to prevent potential health risks.
The listeria outbreak has been linked to patients diagnosed between August 2024 and May 2025. Interestingly, the same strain of listeria was identified during routine testing in March, leading to the recall before any contaminated products entered commerce.
Listeria can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and gastrointestinal issues. Those presenting symptoms after consuming these products are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
As the investigation unfolds, officials are working diligently to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public concerning the recall and any associated health risks. Meanwhile, consumers are reminded to remain vigilant about the food they purchase and to stay informed regarding any recalls that may affect their health.