Listeria outbreak recalls products in Texas grocery stores. Here’s what to avoid
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a listeria outbreak on prepared pasta meals across multiple brands and products.
In Texas, Albertson’s deli-made pesto pasta salads and Walmart Marketside beef meatball marinara linguine meals have all been recalled. Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettuccine alfredo is also on the list but only affects four states – Texas not included.
The CDC records 20 cases — 19 of those hospitalized, including four deaths — from these three recalls.
“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems,” according to Albertsons Companies.
These products are no longer available on store shelves but may still be in customer’s homes in their fridge or freezer. Listeria can survive in refrigerated environments and can spread between surfaces.
Albertson’s Listeria recall
Albertson’s Companies voluntarily recalled the store-made deli pesto/basil/spinach pasta salads with sell by dates through Sept. 29.
This includes Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, United, Amigos and Market Street stores in Texas.
For more information visit Albertson’s Companies website. Customers who have more questions can call Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center at 1-877-723-3929, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Walmart Listeria recall
Walmart’s recall is for products packaged in 12-oz clear plastic tray packages labeled “Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce” with sell by dates on Sept. 22, 24, 25, 29 and 30 and Oct. 1.
This outbreak is linked to a listeria outbreak from June for Marketside chicken alfredo fettuccine meals.
What customers should do if they have a recalled item
If customers bought a recalled item, this is what the CDC recommends:
- First, do not eat the infected food. Dispose of it.
- Second, clean your refrigerator and any other surfaces that may have touched the infected foods. Again, listeria can survive in the fridge and can spread between surfaces and food.
Albertsons will give full refunds for customers who bought the recalled pasta salad.
If a customer ate the recalled item, please note:
- Symptoms can start within one day to ten weeks of eating the infected food.
- If you are pregnant and are experiencing fever, muscle aches and tiredness after eating the infected food, call your healthcare provider immediately.
- “Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth,” according to the CDC. “It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.”
- People who are 65 years old and older or have a weakened immune system may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, in addition to fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Contact your health care provider as you may need special care or antibiotics.
- Other people may experience diarrhea and should stay hydrated as it passes. No need for antibiotics.