CDC continues to note illnesses despite product recalls and asks consumers to check for recalled foods in Listeria outbreak linked to prepared meals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2024

ATLANTA – Despite multiple recalls of ready-to-eat prepared meals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to investigate a Listeria outbreak that has sickened 10 people in four states (Arizona, California, Colorado, and Washington). One death has been reported in California, and one person is currently hospitalized.

The outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat prepared meals produced by HelloFresh and Everyday Chef. Recalls have been issued for a variety of products containing potentially contaminated ingredients.

CDC urges anyone wiht these recalled products in their refrigerator or freezer to not eat them. Throw them away.

What to do if you think you have a listeria infection:

* Talk to your healthcare provider.
* Tell them you may have eaten a recalled product.

Symptoms of listeria infection:

* In pregnant people: Listeria infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
* In others: Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Sometimes, the illness can be severe and life-threatening.
* Symptoms usually start 1 to 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but can start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after exposure.

Who is most at risk?

* Pregnant people
* Adults 65 years and older
* People with weakened immune systems

Inquiry Update:

CDC,along with state and local health departments and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is continuing to investigate the outbreak. Investigators are using DNA fingerprinting to identify the bacteria causing illness and are working to determine the source of the contamination.

Recalls:

Consumers can find more information about the recalls, including specific product details and lot codes, on the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/food/recalls-outbreaks-emergencies/listeria-monocytogenes-outbreak-investigation-ready-to-eat-prepared-meals

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Media Contact:

CDC Press Office
(404) 639-3286
media@cdc.gov

Multistate Listeria Outbreak Linked to Chicken and Alfredo Sauce

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections. You can find more information at: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-06-25/index.html

Key Points:

* 7 new illnesses, including 6 new hospitalizations and 2 new deaths have been reported since the last update. The deaths occurred in Hawaii and Oregon.
* Investigators are working to determine if newly reported illnesses are linked to previously recalled foods or if additional foods may be contaminated.
* The CDC advises everyone to check refrigerators and freezers for recalled foods and to discard any found.
* Refer to the outbreak notice for details on food recalls and their use-by dates.

What you Should Do:

* Do not consume recalled foods. Discard them immediatly or return them to the place of purchase.
* Clean your refrigerator, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled foods. Listeria can survive in refrigerators,so thorough cleaning is essential.