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A listeria food poisoning outbreak that has killed three people in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, and led to one pregnancy loss, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is linked to newly recalled heat-and-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart stores, federal officials announced.

The outbreak, which includes at least 17 people in 13 states, began last July, as per federal health officials. At least 16 people have been hospitalized.


What happened?

The food company, FreshRealm, voluntarily recalled several varieties of its ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals—sold under Walmart’s Marketside brand and Kroger’s Home Chef line—following a nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed a matching Listeria strain in both sick individuals and a product sample collected during a March 2025 inspection.


What products have been recalled?

FreshRealm issued a high-priority (Class I) recall covering all relevant pre-packaged chicken Alfredo meals produced before June 17, 2025, carrying USDA establishment numbers P‑50784, P‑47770, or P‑47718.

Key product lines recalled include:

Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (32.8 oz) – Best‑by June 27 or earlier

Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli (12.3 oz) – Best‑by June 26 or earlier

Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz) – Best‑by June 19 or earlier

FreshRealm said that it asked both Walmart and Kroger to remove the products from their shelves and advised their customers to throw them away or return them for a refund. “FreshRealm remains committed to the highest standards of food safety,” the company said in a statement.

Consumers are advised to dispose of any chicken Alfredo meals from Marketside or Home Chef brands with the above establishment numbers and best‑by dates, even if frozen. Consumers can opt for a return for a full refund at Walmart or Kroger.



Tracing the contamination:

A routine sampling in March 2025 captured the outbreak strain in a production sample—which was destroyed before distribution—but matched those found in ill individuals. FSIS investigators also traced the outbreak using purchase records and consumer interviews. Two patients confirmed buying the implicated meals, while others described identical products. However, the specific contamination source (e.g., raw chicken, sauce, pasta) is still under investigation.


What is a listeria outbreak ?

A listeria outbreak is a situation where two or more people get sick from eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This can happen when food is processed, prepared, or stored in unsanitary conditions. Listeria outbreaks are typically identified when multiple individuals experience similar illnesses after consuming the same potentially contaminated food.


Listeria can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms can range from mild, like fever and diarrhea, to severe, including meningitis or sepsis, especially in vulnerable populations. Listeria can be transmitted through contaminated food, and outbreaks are often linked to ready-to-eat foods like deli meats, soft cheeses, and smoked seafood.

Proper food handling, including cooking to safe temperatures and avoiding high-risk foods, is crucial to prevent listeriosis.