SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — At least twenty people were infected, four of whom have died, from a Listeria outbreak in ready-to-eat pasta meals sold nationwide, prompting a health alert.
On Monday, officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food warned the public about food contamination in pasta products sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s.
Officials said at least 20 people have been infected and four people have died, including one person in Utah. They said the confirmed number of infected people could increase in the coming weeks.
The affected products are “Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce” sold at Walmart and “Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo” from Trader Joe’s, with select best-used-by dates.
“Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine” and “Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo” were also recalled due to the outbreak and are no longer on shelves, but officials recommended checking freezers in case they were purchased earlier on.
Utah health officials instructed consumers to check their kitchen and throw out all affected products or return them to the place of purchase.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious infections, especially for older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and gastrointestinal issues. Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.
Officials said symptoms typically appear within two weeks after eating contaminated food, but can manifest from the day of exposure to 10 weeks after.
“If you have symptoms of listeriosis within two months after eating the recalled products, seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the recalled food,” health officials said.
For information on which products are affected, including specific best-by and expiration dates, see the Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
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