Pasta meals recalled due to listeria contamination found in popular products.

A significant food safety alert has been issued concerning a popular line of ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a recall for specific packages of Marketside Linguini With Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, commonly referred to as Listeria.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service indicated that the affected products were distributed to Walmart stores across the nation. These pasta meals bear the establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718,” both of which are stamped within the USDA’s mark of inspection. The pre-cooked pasta is sold in 12-ounce clear plastic trays, with critical usage dates approaching, including September 22, 24, 25, 29, and 30, as well as October 1 of the current year.

Consumers are strongly advised to refrain from consuming the implicated pasta meals. Instead, they should dispose of them or return the products to the place of purchase for a refund. This warning comes as part of an extensive investigation into an earlier listeria outbreak linked to chicken alfredo meals also sold at Walmart. Investigations have revealed that samples of the pre-cooked pasta used in the Marketside product line tested positive for Listeria, prompting further analysis to establish a connection to the previous outbreak.

Listeriosis, the illness contracted through exposure to Listeria, mainly affects vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis is the third leading cause of mortality associated with foodborne illnesses in the United States. Symptoms can manifest as fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, often preceded by gastrointestinal issues.

Earlier this year, in June, there was a nationwide recall of chicken fettuccine alfredo meals from Walmart and Kroger due to a similar listeria outbreak, which was linked to 17 confirmed illnesses, including three fatalities and one fetal loss. This particular outbreak was traced back to products manufactured by FreshRealm, Inc. under the Home Chef brand at Kroger and the Marketside brand at Walmart.

As the situation develops, consumers are encouraged to stay informed about food safety alerts and recalls, ensuring the health and wellbeing of their households is preserved.

For additional information on health alerts and safe food handling, consult the USDA and CDC resources.