Recall alert: Kroger and Walmart forced to take ready-to-eat product off the shelves due to listeria outbreak

FreshRealm has issued a recall for its chicken fettuccine alfredo, which was sold at major supermarket retailers including Walmart and Kroger. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the recall was prompted by concerns that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes a serious foodborne illness.

The FDA uses a tiered system to assess the severity of consumer risk, and this recall has been classified as a Class I—the most serious level.

The potential health risks are significant: the outbreak has already resulted in three deaths and one fetal loss, with an additional 17 people falling ill across 13 states. “Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns," warns the FDA.

While the specific states have not been named, the geographic scope of the recall is listed as "nationwide."

Which products have been recalled?

According to the FDA, three products are covered by the recall.

You can also find the USDA mark of inspection on the product label, and those covered by the recall include: EST. P-50784, EST. P-47770, or EST. P-47718. These labels will be printed on the side of the packaging, and pictures of them can be found on the USDA’s website.

The USDA is encouraging anyone with these products in their frigde or freezer to throw them out. Consuming them is not worth the risk of contracting this dangerous disease. They can also be returned to the retailer where they were purcahsed.

How to avoid getting sick

For future reference, the FDA advises anyone who may have purchased this product—or any other ready-to-eat chicken dishes—to ensure the food is heated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). This is the temperature at which many harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses are effectively killed.

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