Ready-to-eat meals sold at Kroger, Walmart recalled after 3 deaths, 17 sickened

What we know about the recall on certain FreshRealm chicken products sold at major grocery retailers tied to a deadly listeria outbreak.

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Some ready-to-eat meals sold at Walmart and Kroger are being recalled after multiple deaths and more than a dozen illnesses reported across 13 states due to listeria poisoning, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

FreshRealm in San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., is recalling certain chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may contain an outbreak strain of listeria monocytogenes contamination which can cause listeriosis, or listeria poisoning.

The ready-to-eat products were shipped to Kroger and Walmart retail locations across the U.S.

Here is what to know about the deadly recall:

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Which ready-to-eat meals were recalled?

The recalled ready to eat meals include:

• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine: (32.8-oz. tray packages containing “tender pasta with creamy alfredo sauce, white meat chicken and shaved parmesan cheese”):
  • Expiration Date: 6/27/25 or prior
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine: (12.3 oz. tray packages containing “tender pasta with creamy alfredo sauce, white meat chicken, broccoli and shaved parmesan cheese”):
  • Expiration Date: 06/26/25 or prior
• Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo: (12.5 oz. tray packages containing “pasta, grilled white meat chicken, and parmesan cheese”):
  • Expiration date: 6/19/25 or prior

The products bear the USDA mark of inspection on the product label along with the following establishment numbers found on the side of the packaging:

• EST. P-50784
• EST. P-47770
• EST. P-47718

17 people sickened in 13 states, 3 deaths

The FDA reported the agency and public health partners are investigating a listeria outbreak in connection to the prepared meals and that as of June 17, 2025, the outbreak had sickened 17 people in 13 states. 

As of that same date, there have been at least three reported deaths associated with the outbreak.

“The outbreak strain of ‘LM’ was isolated from ill people on dates ranging from August 2024 – May 2025,” the federal health agency reported.

USA TODAY has reached out to the FDA and FreshRealm for more information. 

Listeria poisoning symptoms

Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.

Symptoms include, per the CDC:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Other gastrointestinal symptoms
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
• Death

People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care.

Toss affected ready-to-eat meals out, USDA says

For consumers who bought the item and froze it, the USDA said to throw it away.

Concerned about an illness regarding the product? The USDA has advised contacting a health care provider.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact FreshRealm’s customer service at 888-244-1562. Those with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) 

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.