Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meals causes additional deaths
Two additional fatalities have been reported in a listeria outbreak associated with recalled ready-to-eat pasta salads and prepared meals sold at major grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Walmart, health officials confirmed. This brings the total toll to six deaths amid rising concerns about food safety, reports BritPanorama.
Recent reports indicate that seven new listeria illnesses have emerged across three states in the past month, increasing the total number of reported cases to 27 spanning 18 states. The outbreak has resulted in 25 hospitalizations and one fetal loss.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is actively investigating the outbreak linked to Listeria monocytogenes contamination in precooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods Inc.
Nate’s Fine Foods indicated in a statement released in late September that they are collaborating with federal agencies. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy our products, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps until this matter is resolved,” the company said. They expressed their commitment to transparency and consumer health.
The affected pasta products have been utilized in various prepared meals and deli salads sold under multiple brands. Notable recalls include:
- 32.8-ounce tray packages of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine.
- Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad.
- Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad.
- Kroger store deli bowtie and penne pasta salads.
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls.
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo.
The FDA advises consumers to inspect their refrigerators and freezers for these potentially contaminated products, indicating they should not be consumed. It also encourages any uncertain customers to contact the retailer for clarification.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may lead to listeriosis, a serious condition presenting symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening, particularly for high-risk groups including pregnant women and the elderly. The FDA notes that symptoms can manifest from a few days to several weeks post-exposure.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms of listeriosis should seek immediate medical attention. The outbreak underscores the ongoing challenges of food safety in ready-to-eat meals, as federal agencies work to identify and mitigate the sources of contamination.
