Ready-To-Eat Meal Recall: Deaths, Illnesses Now Reported (1 In Minnesota)

Ready-to-eat meals are available at countless retailers across the United States and continue to grow in popularity worldwide.

Experts say the meals are increasingly popular due to their convenience and time-saving benefits, especially among busy consumers. The global market for ready meals is experiencing significant growth and is projected to reach $272.76 billion by 2028.

While their popularity has created a buzz, a brand of ready-to-eat meals recently made headlines due to its recall of one of their products, which has caused multiple deaths and 17 reports of illness across 13 U.S. states, including Minnesota.

Ready-To-Eat Meals Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, FreshRealm, a company that prides itself on providing fresh meals that are sold at grocery retailers, is recalling its chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

Listeria is a serious infection that can be life-threatening, especially for certain high-risk groups.

The recalled products, all produced before June 17, 2025, were shipped to Walmart and Kroger retail locations nationwide under various brand names. The recalled ready-to-eat meals include:

• 32.8-oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.
• 12.3 oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/26/25 or prior.
• 12.5 oz. tray packages containing “HOME CHEF Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with pasta, grilled white meat chicken, and Parmesan cheese", with best-by date 06/19/25 or prior.

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The products have 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

You can click here to view the recalled product labels.

The USDA said that consumers who bought any of the recalled products should throw them away. It's important to note that people should also check their freezers, as the meals may have been purchased and then placed there to be consumed at a later date.

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).

Death And Illness Associated With This Recall

The FDA announced it is working with public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control, to investigate a listeria outbreak in connection with the prepared meals.

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As of June 18, there had been multiple deaths have been reported, including the loss of an unborn child associated with the outbreak. USA TODAY reports loss of the unborn child was the result of a pregnancy-associated illness in the mother.

Also, as of June 18, 2025, the outbreak had sickened 17 people in 13 states. The CDC reports that of the 17 people, 16 needed hospitalization. The following states have confirmed listeria cases:

• Minnesota (1)
• Florida (1)
• Illinois (1)
• Indiana (1)
• Louisiana (1)
• Michigan (2)
• Missouri (1)
• North Carolina (1)
• Nevada (1)
• Ohio (1)
• South Carolina (1)
• Texas (3)
• Virginia (1)

Symptoms Of Listeria Infection

According to the CDC, signs and symptoms of listeriosis depend on the person infected and the body part affected.

Listeria is most likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth,
  premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn

The CDC says you should contact your healthcare provider if both of the following things apply to you. This is especially crucial for people in higher-risk categories.

• You ate food that has been recalled or linked to an outbreak.
• You have a fever and other symptoms of listeriosis, such as fatigue and muscle aches.

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