FreshRealm recalls chicken alfredo meals sold at Walmart, Kroger after deadly listeria outbreak
WASHINGTON — FreshRealm has recalled ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold nationwide at Walmart and Kroger stores after federal health officials linked the products to a deadly listeria outbreak that has sickened 17 people across 13 states.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Tuesday that the Texas-based food manufacturer voluntarily recalled all chicken alfredo products manufactured before June 17. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths in Illinois, Michigan and Texas, plus one fetal loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from ill people between August 2024 and May 2025, with 16 of the 17 infected individuals requiring hospitalization.
Products Recalled
The recalled products were manufactured at FreshRealm facilities in San Clemente, California; Montezuma, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana, and distributed to retail locations nationwide. Consumers should look for these specific products:
Sold at Walmart under the Marketside brand:
- 32.8-ounce tray packages of "Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine" with best-by dates of June 27, 2025, or prior
- 12.3-ounce tray packages of "Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine" with broccoli, with best-by dates of June 26, 2025, or prior
Sold at Kroger under the Home Chef brand:
- 12.5-ounce tray packages of "Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo" with best-by dates of June 19, 2025, or prior
All recalled products bear USDA inspection marks with establishment numbers "EST. P-50784," "EST. P-47770," or "EST. P-47718" printed on the packaging.
Investigation Ongoing
Federal investigators isolated the same outbreak strain from a routine chicken fettuccine alfredo sample collected at a FreshRealm establishment in March 2025, though that contaminated lot was destroyed and never reached consumers.
FSIS used purchase records from two ill people to trace chicken fettuccine alfredo products back to FreshRealm establishments, and investigators are working to determine whether a specific ingredient may be the contamination source.
FreshRealm said it has not received direct reports of illness associated with the product but has been informed by regulatory agencies that four consumers reported eating the chicken alfredo meals.
Health Risks
Listeria infections primarily affect older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms typically begin within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.
For pregnant women, listeria can cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness, but can also lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth or life-threatening infections in newborns. Other symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Consumer Actions
Walmart and Kroger have been notified to remove the products from shelves and inventory. Consumers who purchased the recalled meals should not eat them and should either throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.
The FSIS advises consumers to heat premade meals to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and use a food thermometer to confirm the internal temperature.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact FreshRealm customer service at (888) 244-1562. Those with food safety questions can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) 674-6854.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of listeria infection should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
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