Three Americans are dead and one pregnancy lost after a deadly listeria outbreak has been traced directly to popular chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger, prompting an urgent nationwide recall.
Key Takeaways
- A deadly listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo products has caused 3 deaths, 1 pregnancy loss, and sickened at least 17 people across 13 states
- FreshRealm is recalling all affected products made before June 17 that were sold at Kroger and Walmart under the Marketside and Home Chef brands
- Federal health officials warn that contamination may still be occurring, with 16 of the 17 affected individuals requiring hospitalization
- The CDC advises immediate disposal of any potentially contaminated products, as listeria poses particular risks to pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems
Deadly Outbreak Sweeps Across Multiple States
A lethal listeria outbreak has been definitively linked to contaminated chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at major retailers Kroger and Walmart. The contamination has already claimed three lives in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, while also causing one pregnancy loss. The outbreak has infected at least 17 people across 13 states since July, with an alarming 16 of those cases requiring hospitalization. Federal health officials confirmed the link on Tuesday and immediately initiated a recall of the affected products, which pose a severe public health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations.
“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,” stated federal health officials.
Recall Details and Contamination Concerns
FreshRealm, the manufacturer responsible for the contaminated products, has issued a recall for all chicken alfredo items produced before June 17. The affected products include Marketside branded meals sold at Walmart and Home Chef meals available at Kroger stores nationwide. Consumers should specifically check for chicken alfredo trays with certain best-by dates printed on packaging. The contamination was first detected during a routine inspection in March, but officials believed the contaminated batch had been destroyed before reaching stores. However, the CDC now indicates the contamination source remains active.
“Officials are concerned that contamination is still occurring,” stated CDC.
The source of the listeria bacteria has not yet been identified, complicating containment efforts. Investigators have tracked cases through shopper records and interviews with affected individuals, but the full extent of the outbreak may be larger than currently known. Many listeria infections go unreported, as symptoms can appear up to 70 days after consumption of contaminated food. Health officials are continuing their investigation to determine if additional products may be affected and to identify the exact contamination point in the production process.
🚨 RECALL ALERT: Chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at Walmart & Kroger recalled due to potential Listeria outbreak. 17 sick and 3 deaths – including 1 case in Illinois.
Check your fridge for Marketside or Home Chef products with listed best-by dates. https://t.co/VkPR8bopPr
— IDPH | Illinois Department of Public Health (@IDPH) June 18, 2025
Public Health Response and Consumer Warnings
The CDC is strongly advising all consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled products and to immediately discard or return them to the place of purchase. Those who have consumed the products should monitor for symptoms including fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. Pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, but listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe illness in newborns. The elderly and immunocompromised individuals face particularly high risks of severe complications.
“About 1,600 people get sick each year from listeria infections and about 260 die,” stated CDC.
This outbreak follows several high-profile listeria cases in recent years, prompting federal officials to update protocols for monitoring and preventing such contamination. President Trump’s administration has pushed for more stringent food safety measures following this latest deadly outbreak. While the food industry generally maintains high safety standards, this incident highlights the continuing challenges in preventing bacterial contamination in ready-to-eat meals that don’t require thorough reheating by consumers. The FDA is expected to issue updated guidance to manufacturers of similar products in the coming weeks.
