Walmart recalls popular pasta meals due to listeria contamination risk.

A prominent brand of ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart has been recalled due to potential listeria contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a public health alert recently, cautioning consumers that certain packages of Marketside Linguini With Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service indicated that the affected pasta meals, carrying the establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” within the USDA inspection mark, were distributed to Walmart stores across the United States. The pre-cooked pasta is sold in 12-ounce clear plastic trays with “best if used by” dates of September 22, 24, 25, 29, and 30, as well as October 1 of this year.

Customers who purchased these products are advised not to consume the pasta. Instead, they should discard it or return it to the point of purchase for a refund or exchange.

This recall is part of an ongoing investigation into a listeria outbreak that has been linked to Alfredo meals sold at Walmart earlier in June. During the investigation, samples of pre-cooked pasta used in the affected products tested positive for the bacteria. Additional testing is underway to investigate a potential link to the specific strain responsible for the outbreak.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by exposure to Listeria monocytogenes, poses significant health risks, particularly to 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 death from foodborne illnesses.

Symptoms of listeriosis may include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, often preceded by gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea.

Earlier this year, chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger were voluntarily recalled following a nationwide listeria outbreak that resulted in 17 confirmed illnesses and three fatalities, along with one fetal loss. The USDA traced this outbreak back to products manufactured by FreshRealm, Inc., which operates under the Home Chef brand at Kroger and the Marketside brand at Walmart.

Consumers are urged to stay informed about food safety alerts and recalls to ensure their health and well-being. For more information regarding the recall and further updates, check with the USDA and FDA websites.

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