Urgent Alert: Certain Walmart and Trader Joe’s Pasta Dishes Linked to Listeria Outbreak – What You Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning people about certain ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s. These meals might be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria linked to a serious outbreak involving chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a public health alert for Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce sold at Walmart. This product, packaged in 12-ounce clear plastic trays, has “best by” dates from September 22 to October 1. If you have this in your fridge, it’s best to throw it away.

Trader Joe’s is also involved; they’ve pulled their Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo from shelves. These items have “best if used by” dates of September 20, 24, or 27 and contain the establishment number “P- 45288” on the label.

So far, there have been no reported illnesses linked to these products. Walmart has removed the affected items from their stores and stated they are cooperating with the supplier during the investigation. They also said customers can return the meals for a full refund.

The listeria strain potentially affecting these pasta dishes matches a bacteria from a prior outbreak, which sadly resulted in four deaths and over 20 illnesses. This recent alert marks an ongoing concern with food safety, particularly as about 1,600 Americans contract listeria each year, leading to around 260 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Experts emphasize the importance of being vigilant about food recalls. Dr. Sarah Cooley, a public health expert, notes that many people may not realize the dangers of listeria, especially in ready-to-eat meals. She advocates for regular checks on product recall lists for consumer safety.

If you’re unfamiliar with listeria, it can cause fever, muscle aches, and even more severe symptoms in those at high risk, such as pregnant women and the elderly. Always check product labels and don’t hesitate to discard anything that raises concern.

For more detailed information on listeria and its health effects, you can visit the CDC’s website.

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Health, Walmart, Listeria