A recall has been issued for chicken fettuccine alfredo possibly contaminated with listeria and linked to a deadly outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a listeria outbreak that has killed three people and caused the loss of a fetus,” according to a news release. The FDA is working to determine the source.
Seventeen people across 13 states have gotten sick during the outbreak between August 2024 and May 2025. “The same outbreak strain was isolated from a routine chicken fettuccine alfredo sample collected by FSIS in a FreshRealm establishment in March 2025,” the FDA said as its investigation continues.
FreshRealm establishments in three states issued the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”
The products, sold at Walmart and Kroger nationwide, may contain listeria, the FDA said.
The FDA classified the recall as High Class 1, the agency’s highest classification and indicating use of the product could lead to “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Here’s what you should know.
Recall issued for chicken fettuccine alfredo sold at Walmart, Kroger
FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, California, Montezuma, Georgia, and Indianapolis, Indiana, announced June 17 a recall of chicken fettuccine alfredo products “that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of listeria,” according to the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the company is voluntarily recalling all products produced prior to June 17, 2025.”
3 deaths associated with listeria outbreak under investigation
The FSIS and public health partners are investigating an outbreak of listeria that currently includes 17 ill people in 13 states, the FDA said
“As of June 17, 2025, there have been three reported deaths and one fetal loss associated with this outbreak,” the FDA said.
“The same outbreak strain was isolated from a routine chicken fettuccine alfredo sample collected by FSIS in a FreshRealm establishment in March 2025.”
“FSIS also used purchase records from two ill people to trace purchased chicken fettuccine alfredo products to FreshRealm establishments,” the FDA said.
“FSIS is sharing what is currently known regarding products associated with the outbreak as the agency continues to work with public health partners to identify whether a specific ingredient in the chicken fettucine alfredo may be the source of this strain” of listeria.”
The USA Today Network-Florida has reached out to the FDA for the states where the deaths and illnesses occurred.
FDA classifies recall as Level 1. What is Level 1?
The FDA has classified the recall as a Level 1.
A Level 1 — also called a Class 1 — recall is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” the FDA said.
Where was the recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo sold?
The recalled ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo was sold to Walmart and Kroger locations nationwide.
How do I know if I have the recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo?
The recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo was produced prior to June 17 under the following labels:
The products bear the USDA mark of inspection on the product label as well as establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718” on the side of the packaging.
What should you do if you have the recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo?
“FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.
“These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
What is listeria?
Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate many foods, the CDC said. People who eat contaminated food can get infected with the bacteria.
“The disease-causing bacteria can be found in many places, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals,” the FDA said.
What are symptoms of a listeria infection?
Signs and symptoms of listeriosis depend on the person infected, and the body part affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Listeriaare most likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you develop a listeria infection, symptoms could include:
“Symptoms might begin a few days after you’ve eaten contaminated food, but it can take 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin,” the Mayo Clinic said.
If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, signs and symptoms can include:
How can you avoid listeria?
Especially for those in high-risk groups, the CDC offers the following suggestions to avoid the listeria bacteria found in food. Do not eat:
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: FDA investigating deadly listeria outbreak. What to know about Walmart recall
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
