Three Dead in Multistate Listeria Outbreak Linked to Chicken Fettucine Alfredo Meals

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals.

Recalled product assembled at FreshRealm’s San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., manufacturing locations may be adulterated with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes, said FDA.

As of June 18, 17 cases have been reported from 13 states. Of 11 people interviewed, seven reported eating precooked meals, and four (57%) reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 17 people with information, 16 (94%) were hospitalized, and there are three deaths attributed to listeriosis. There is one pregnancy associated illness in a mother that resulted in a fetal loss.

FDA has conducted an investigation in response to this outbreak, including traceback of FDA-regulated ingredients within the assembled product. FDA used specific meal information reported by ill people and collected by state officials and CDC and firm records to trace FDA-regulated ingredients through the supply chain to the establishments where those were produced.

FSIS identified the outbreak strain in a routine sample of FreshRealm’s chicken fettuccine alfredo collected on March 19. This lot of product was not distributed into the food supply. FSIS also used purchase documentation to trace chicken fettuccine alfredo products purchased by two ill people to FreshRealm establishments.

An additional two ill people verbally described chicken fettuccine alfredo products they purchased. FSIS identified products produced by FreshRealm that matched the descriptions during follow-up at the retail stores where they shopped.

FDA initiated multiple inspections, including sample collection, at the manufacturers of some ingredients used to make the chicken fettuccine alfredo product.

Testing of the FDA-regulated ingredients collected to date is complete, and the outbreak strain of Listeria was not found. FDA and FSIS have not yet determined a source of contamination for this product; however, both agencies are working closely with each other and CDC to continue to collect information to determine what additional steps are needed to protect public health, the agencies said.

On June 17, in response to the investigation, FreshRealm recalled its pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart under the following brand names and packaging details:

• 32.8-oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.
• 12.3 oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/26/25 or prior.
• 12.5 oz. tray packages containing “HOME CHEF Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with pasta, grilled white meat chicken, and Parmesan cheese” with best-by date 06/19/25 or prior.