A listeria food poisoning outbreak that has killed three people and led to one pregnancy loss is linked to newly recalled heat-and-eat chicken fettucine alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart stores, federal health officials say. The outbreak, which includes at least 17 people in 13 states, began last July, officials said. At least 16 people have been hospitalized.
FreshRealm, a large food producer with sites in California, Georgia, and Indiana, is recalling products made before June 17. The recall includes these products, which were sold in the refrigerated sections of retail stores:
- 32.8-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, and Shaved Parmesan Cheese with best-by dates of June 27 or earlier.
- 12.3-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli, and Shaved Parmesan Cheese with best-by dates of June 26 or earlier.
- 12.5-ounce trays of Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettucine Alfredo with Pasta, Grilled White Meat Chicken, and Parmesan Cheese, with best-by dates of June 19 or earlier.
The strain of listeria bacteria that made people sick was found in a sample of chicken fettucine alfredo during a routine inspection in March, US Agriculture Department officials said. That product was destroyed and never sent to stores. Officials said they have not identified the specific source of the contamination, the AP reports. Cases have been identified through retail shopper records and interviews with sick people.
The listeria strain tied to the outbreak has been detected in people who fell ill between July 24 and May 10, the CDC reported. The deaths were in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. Cases have been reported in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The number of sick people is likely higher than now known and cases may be detected in additional states. Officials are continuing to receive reports of illnesses linked to the product and "are concerned that contamination is still occurring," the CDC said.
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