A frozen pasta dinner sold at Walmart stores in Washington is being pulled from shelves after routine testing turned up a possible Listeria contamination. Gias Foods has recalled two lots of its bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, and the company says no illnesses have been reported so far.
The recall covers product sold nationwide, including select Washington stores, according to silive.com. The affected fettuccine comes in 22-ounce yellow plastic packaging marked with UPC number 194346442706, and shoppers should check for lot numbers L6079C or L6080C, with expiration dates of Sept. 19 or Sept. 20, 2027, per that same report from The News Tribune. New York City-based Gias Foods issued the recall after finding the possible contamination.
The trouble surfaced through routine sampling programs run by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which found that the finished products may contain Listeria monocytogenes, the outlet reports. Gias Foods has since ceased distribution of the product while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the company continue investigating the cause, the article notes.
Why Listeria Contamination Is Taken So Seriously
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection that produces flu-like symptoms including fever, body aches and fatigue. The bacteria can trigger serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems, and listeriosis is especially dangerous for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals and newborns. A Listeria monocytogenes infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Walmart, for its part, says it moves quickly whenever a recall is issued. In a statement posted to its corporate site, the retailer says, “we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs,” according to corporate.walmart.com.
What to Do if You Bought the Fettuccine
Anyone who purchased the affected lots should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, per the same account from silive.com. Consumers with questions can email Gias Foods at [email protected] or call the company at 917-675-4890.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recall. The FDA and Gias Foods continue to investigate exactly how the potential contamination occurred.
