Health Alert Issued Over Listeria in Ready-to-Eat Pasta Meals

A listeria outbreak associated with ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's has led to at least 20 infections and four fatalities, including one in Utah, according to health officials. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for specific products that may be contaminated.

The affected items include "Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce" sold at Walmart and "Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo" from Trader Joe's, both with select best-used-by dates. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious infections, particularly in older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and gastrointestinal issues. In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. Symptoms typically appear within two weeks after consuming contaminated food but can manifest from the day of exposure up to 10 weeks later.

Health officials urge anyone who experiences symptoms of listeriosis within two months after eating the recalled products to seek medical care and inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure. For detailed information on the affected products, including specific best-by and expiration dates, consumers can refer to the FSIS website.