Listeria found in Walmart meals linked to deadly outbreak

Federal health officials have issued a warning regarding certain beef meatball pasta meals sold at Walmart stores nationwide, as they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria. These meals have best-by dates between September 22 and October 1. The listeria strain found in these products is suspected to be linked to a previous deadly outbreak associated with chicken fettuccine Alfredo sold at Walmart and Kroger stores, which resulted in three deaths and at least 17 illnesses. The outbreak prompted a large recall during the summer of this year, raising concerns about food safety. Although no official recall has been announced for the meatball meals, the company FreshRealm, which distributed the products, advised Walmart to remove them from store shelves soon after discovering the contamination. The affected meals are identified with establishment numbers “EST. 50784” and are believed to potentially still be in consumers' refrigerators. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has indicated that additional products could also be affected. Listeria infections can lead to severe health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms often include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, and confusion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1,600 people are infected by listeria each year, resulting in around 260 deaths. Given recent high-profile listeria outbreaks, including one linked to deli meats that resulted in numerous fatalities last year, federal officials are examining ways to improve prevention protocols for listeria infections. In response to consumer safety concerns, Walmart has stated that it prioritizes customer safety and compliance with robust health and safety standards, ensuring that any potentially dangerous products are swiftly addressed. Authorities continue to advise consumers to stay informed about the food safety protocols and necessary actions when dealing with potentially contaminated products.