Federal health officials, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), issued a public health alert regarding Hello Fresh meal kits that may contain listeria-contaminated spinach.
The meals are supplied by FreshRealm, a San Clemente, California-based company tied to an expanding listeria outbreak linked to heat-and-eat pasta meals.
The big picture: Affected Hello Fresh products include: 10.1-ounce containers of “Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta” (Est. 47718, lot code 49107; or Est. 2937, lot code 48840), and 10-ounce containers of “Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey” (Est. P-47718, lot codes 50069, 50073, or 50698).
- These products were shipped directly to consumers as part of Hello Fresh subscription kits.
Driving the news: The contamination was discovered when FreshRealm notified USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service that spinach used in these products tested positive for listeria bacteria.
- FreshRealm previously identified the same listeria strain in pasta used in linguine dishes sold at Walmart, tied to a listeria outbreak dating back to June, which has resulted in at least four deaths and 20 illnesses.
- Genetic tests confirmed the outbreak strain was found in pasta made and supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California.
Zoom out: Several other companies, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Albertsons, have also recalled products made with Nate’s Fine Foods supplies due to potential listeria contamination.
- Listeria infections are particularly dangerous for older adults, pregnant women and their newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
- The CDC estimates approximately 1,600 cases of listeria infection annually in the U.S., with about 260 resulting in death.
