LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two people in Michigan have contracted a listeria bacteria infection from pre-cooked pasta meals, according to an update released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Twenty infections nationwide.
The individuals, whose information was not disclosed, are among 20 total infections across the country. The CDC reported that the cases span 15 states and have caused five deaths, including one unborn baby death, since August of last year.
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However, the actual infection count may be higher due to unreported cases.
Infection traced to ready-to-eat meals.
Investigations and food testing traced the infections to ready-to-eat meals produced by the company FreshRealm, meals which can be found at Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart. Analysis by FreshRealm found that the supplier of the pasta for their meals, Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., tested positive for the same strain of listeria causing infections.
Nate’s Fine Foods released a recall alert for many of their pasta products. Earlier this year, FreshRealm’s recalled their chicken fettuccine alfredo meal on June 17 after it also tested positive for the same listeria strain.
State and local public health officials interviewed 13 infected people and found all of them ate pre-cooked meals found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores, while four specifically ate chicken fettuccine alfredo.
What are the symptoms?
A listeria infection can be severe for pregnant women, people older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems, but most infections cause symptoms like headaches, fevers, and vomiting. The CDC reported that the ages of infected people range from 4 years old to 92 years old, while the median age was 72.
The currently affected products are:
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, found at Trader Joes.
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz, found at Walmart.
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, found at Walmart.
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, found at Kroger.
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More details about products can be found here.
Since the update was released Tuesday, the FDA released two more listeria warnings for Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini and raw Enoki Mushrooms.