Several outbreak investigations ongoing

Federal officials are investigating a new multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections that has killed four people.

As of June 18, the Food and Drug Administration was reporting 17 people across 13 states had been sickened in the outbreak, which has been traced to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The implicated meals were sold under the Marketside and Home Chef brands sold at Walmart and Kroger stores, respectively.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service began investigating the outbreak on March 19 when the outbreak strain was found during routine sampling of FreshRealm’s chicken fettuccine alfredo.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the first person to become ill developed symptoms on Aug. 1, 2024. The most recent patient developed symptoms on June 1 this year.

On June 17, in response to the outbreak investigation, FreshRealm Inc. recalled their pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo products. There is concern that consumers may have the meals in their homes because the best-by dates have not yet expired. Consumers can identify the recalled meals by checking for the following label information.

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. 

In other outbreak news, the FDA continues to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to Emek-brand Pistachio Cream manufactured by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti in Turkey and imported to wholesale distributors, restaurants and food service locations in the United States. 

The implicated product has not yet been recalled.

As of June 18, four patients hade been confirmed in the two-state outbreak, which involves patients in Minnesota and New Jersey, according to the FDA.

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating to determine the full scope of distribution and whether additional lots or products from the manufacturer, Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti in Turkey, are affected.

Product details

Emek-brand Pistachio Cream with a use-by date of October 19, 2026 (TETT: 19/10/26) and production code PNO: 241019 is the focus of the investigation. 

The shelf-stable product, packaged in 5-kilogram white tubs, is sold online to wholesale distributors, restaurants, and food service locations nationwide.

The FDA advises consumers, retailers, restaurants, and distributors not to eat, sell, serve or distribute the affected product. Those who have purchased it should dispose of it.

The FDA continues to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. As of June 18 the FDA had not yet identified a source of the pathogen. The patient count has increased from 33 to 34 cases in the past week.

The FDA has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food it is tracing. The agency has not reported the ages of the outbreak patients or where they live. The outbreak was first posted by the FDA on April 23.

Several other outbreaks remain under investigation. For details, click here.

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