A public health alert has been issued regarding specific frozen pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium previously linked to a deadly outbreak this summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has urged consumers to avoid consuming Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce, available at Walmart in clear 12-ounce plastic trays, with best-by dates ranging from September 22 to October 1, 2023. These products bear the establishment numbers “EST. 50784” and “EST. 47718” on their USDA inspection labels.
Additionally, Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo has been included in the alert. These meals come in 16-ounce trays, with best-by dates of September 20, 24, and 27, and carry the mark P-45288 within the USDA inspection label. Trader Joe’s implicated stores in California and parts of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah as potentially affected.
This alert comes as tests revealed that a shared ingredient source presented a risk of contamination, although no official recalls or reported illnesses related to these particular products have been confirmed. The contamination issue ties back to an outbreak of listeria linked to chicken fettuccine Alfredo sold at Walmart, which resulted in four fatalities and at least 20 people falling ill.
FreshRealm, the producer of Walmart’s linguine product, verified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and is undergoing further testing to determine if it matches the outbreak strain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while listeria infections can be severe, they pose particular risk to pregnant women, individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms generally appear within two weeks of ingestion and include fever, muscle aches, and headaches, among others.
This proactive measure by health authorities is aimed at preventing further cases and ensuring public safety, stressing the importance of vigilance in food consumption during such alerts.