Frozen Meals from Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe's Linked to Listeria Outbreak
A listeria outbreak linked to frozen meals sold at Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe's has caused multiple illnesses and fatalities. Authorities are investigating contaminated products across 15 states.
Health authorities are investigating a growing listeria outbreak associated with frozen meals sold at major U.S. grocery chains, including Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe's. The outbreak has resulted in four fatalities and affected at least 20 individuals across 15 states.
Initially, the focus was on premade chicken pasta meals, specifically chicken fettuccine Alfredo products from brands like Marketside and Home Chef sold at Walmart and Kroger. The manufacturer, FreshRealm, had already recalled these products in June after listeria was detected.
Recently, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that additional frozen meals are now under scrutiny. These include:
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (sold at Walmart) with expiration dates of September 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and October 1, 2025. The product bears establishment numbers "EST.50784" or "EST.47718".
- Trader Joe's Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (sold at Trader Joe's) with expiration dates of September 20, 24, and 27, 2025. This product shows the establishment number "P-45288".
Walmart has confirmed the removal of the implicated products from shelves and is cooperating with ongoing investigations. FreshRealm identified a third-party pasta supplier as the contamination source and advised consumers to discard or return affected products.
Since June, the number of cases has surged; initially, 17 cases and three deaths were reported. The CDC has now confirmed a total of 20 cases and four deaths. Most patients required hospitalization.
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, poses severe risks for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, headache, and confusion, often appearing within two weeks of consuming contaminated food.
Officials continue to trace the source of the contamination and prevent further illness. For more information on listeria outbreaks and safety precautions, visit the CDC’s detailed resources.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-frozen-meals-sold-walmart-kroger.html
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