A deadly listeria outbreak has prompted a nationwide recall of chicken fettuccine alfredo products manufactured at a Georgia facility and sold at major grocery chains including Walmart and Kroger. The outbreak has resulted in 17 illnesses across 13 states, three confirmed deaths, and one fetal loss, marking it as one of the most severe foodborne illness incidents of 2025.
The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was first isolated from ill individuals between August 2024 and May 2025, with the same strain discovered during routine testing at a FreshRealm facility in March 2025. The contaminated batch was destroyed and never entered commerce, but investigators have traced the outbreak to products manufactured at the company's facilities.
FreshRealm's Georgia Operations Under Scrutiny
FreshRealm operates a major food production facility at 303 Airport Road in Montezuma, Georgia, which the company expanded in 2024 with a $6.3 million investment creating over 300 jobs. The facility produces ready-to-eat meals distributed nationwide under various brand names including Marketside at Walmart and Home Chef at Kroger.
Federal investigators used purchase records to trace chicken fettuccine alfredo products consumed by four ill individuals back to FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, California; Montezuma, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana. Despite extensive investigations at the facilities and testing of ingredients, officials have not identified the specific source of contamination.
Recalled Products and Distribution
The voluntary recall announced June 17, 2025, affects all chicken fettuccine alfredo products manufactured before that date. The recalled items include 32.8-ounce trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (best-by dates June 27 or earlier), 12.3-ounce trays with broccoli (best-by dates June 26 or earlier), and 12.5-ounce Home Chef products (best-by dates June 19 or earlier).
Products bear establishment numbers "EST. P-50784," "EST. P-47770," or "EST. P-47718" and were distributed nationwide in the refrigerated sections of Walmart and Kroger stores. Consumers are advised not to consume these products and to return them to the place of purchase for refunds.
Regional Food Safety Trends
Georgia's food safety landscape has been increasingly scrutinized as listeria outbreaks nationwide more than doubled deaths from 8 in 2023 to 19 in 2024, with contaminated food sickening 1,392 people in 2024 compared to 1,118 in 2023. The overwhelming majority of serious foodborne illness outbreaks involved Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli, with 39% of all recalls in 2024 attributed to these pathogens.
This FreshRealm outbreak joins several other significant listeria incidents in 2024-2025, including the deadly Boar's Head deli meat outbreak that killed 10 people and a supplemental shake outbreak linked to Prairie Farms that resulted in 14 deaths across nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Corporate Response and Industry Impact
FreshRealm issued a statement emphasizing the voluntary nature of the recall, noting that the company "has not received any direct reports of illness associated with the product" and maintained that "the recalled product has not been established as a cause of any of these cases". The company's customer service line (888-244-1562) remains available for consumer questions.
street_address:{303 Airport Road, Montezuma, GA} street_address2:{2175 Parklake Dr NE, Tucker, GA}
Legal Implications and Consumer Rights
Multiple law firms are actively investigating potential lawsuits against FreshRealm, with The Schmidt Firm and OFT Law currently accepting cases from individuals who became ill after consuming the recalled products. Food poisoning lawsuits in listeria cases can result in compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages.
Legal experts note that manufacturers and distributors have a fundamental duty to ensure food safety, and when contaminated products cause serious illness or death, companies can be held liable under product liability laws. The severity of listeria infections, particularly among vulnerable populations including pregnant women, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals, often results in substantial damage awards.
Health Impact and Vulnerable Populations
Of the 17 people infected in this outbreak, 16 required hospitalization, with deaths reported in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. Listeria infections can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, with pregnant women facing risks of pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening newborn infections.
The CDC reports that approximately 1,600 people contract listeria annually, with about 260 cases resulting in death, making it one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens. Symptoms can appear anywhere from the same day to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food, complicating outbreak investigations.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal agencies continue investigating the source of contamination, with the CDC expressing concern that "contamination is still occurring" as they receive reports of illnesses linked to the products. The outbreak has prompted broader regulatory reviews, with the Food Safety and Inspection Service undertaking comprehensive examinations of its inspection and sampling procedures at ready-to-eat facilities following recent high-profile listeria incidents.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products should check their refrigerators and freezers immediately, discard any affected items, and clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the products. Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these products should seek immediate medical attention and inform healthcare providers about potential listeria exposure.
