A serious listeria outbreak linked to recalled prepared pasta meals has resulted in six fatalities and has hospitalized 25 individuals across 18 states, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has raised significant concern among public health officials, prompting investigations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS).
The outbreak strain of listeria has been identified in 27 infected individuals, with symptoms potentially appearing from the same day to as much as 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. Notably, among the reported cases, there was one pregnancy-related illness that sadly resulted in a baby loss.
The CDC has indicated that the actual number of individuals affected may be higher than reported due to the typical delay of three to four weeks in confirming whether someone is part of the outbreak. Some may recover without seeking medical attention, which further complicates the statistics.
The contaminated items were traced back to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals produced by FreshRealm. In June, investigations indicated that ingredients from Nate’s Fine Foods, based in California, were responsible for the contamination of these meals. Consequently, FreshRealm conducted testing of their ingredients, leading to a voluntary recall of over 245,000 pounds of prepared pasta dishes.
As efforts to manage the outbreak continue, health officials are working diligently to identify what those who fell ill consumed before becoming sick. Consumers who may have purchased the recalled meals are urged to discard them or return them for a refund.
This situation underscores the critical importance of food safety monitoring and rapid response to potential health threats. The collaborative efforts of public health agencies and food manufacturers aim to prevent further cases and protect the public’s health.