Listeria Contamination Recalls: How Michigan is Affected, Who’s at Risk, Prevention Tips and More
Jake Newby
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes. People who eat those foods can get infected.
- Four people have died – including one person in Michigan – and nearly two dozen others have been hospitalized due to listeria poisoning since Sept. 30.
- Listeria can be especially harmful for pregnant women, older adults, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.
- You should clean your refrigerator, containers and all surfaces that may have touched affected foods if you stored them in your refrigerator or freezer.
There have been multiple prominent listeria outbreaks in the United States this year, leading to a series of recalled prepackaged pasta meals sold at Kroger, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and Albertsons stores nationwide. Cases have been reported in 15 states, including Michigan.
Four people have died – including one person in Michigan – and nearly two dozen others have been hospitalized due to listeria poisoning since Sept. 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food and cause illness. Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes. People who eat those foods can get infected. Listeria infection can be especially harmful for:
- Pregnant women
- Adults age 65 and older
- Newborns
- People with weakened immune systems
In one of the recent Listeria-related deaths, a pregnant woman experienced fetal loss as a result of her infection, according to USA Today.
Which ready-to-eat meals were recalled because of recent Listeria outbreaks?
The CDC initially began investigating reports of illness in June. Since then, the following meals have been recalled from the following stores:
Trader Joe's
- Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo
Walmart
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine
Kroger and Albertsons
- Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Grilled Chicken & Basil Pasta Extra Large
- Ready Meals Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad
- Ready Meals Spinach Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Ready Meals Basil Bowtie Pasta Salad
Read more from the CDC about how these meals led to the outbreak here.
How to prevent listeria outbreaks related to recent recalls
These products are no longer on the shelves of these respective stores. If you purchased any of them already, you are advised to return them to the store for a refund or throw them in the trash.
Additionally, the CDC recommends cleaning your refrigerator, containers and all surfaces that may have touched the affected foods if you brought them home and stored them in your refrigerator or freezer for any amount of time. Listeria can easily survive in the refrigerator and can spread to other foods and surfaces.
Generally, you should always thoroughly wash your hands after handling and preparing food, especially raw or uncooked products. The Cleveland Clinic recommends that pregnant women avoid eating refrigerated pâté or meat spreads from the deli or the meat counter at a grocery store. Heating foods to the proper temperature kills listeria, so always heat lunch meat until steaming hot in these situations.
What are symptoms of a listeria infection?
Symptoms of listeria infection usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food, according to the CDC. Healthy individuals affected may feel symptoms in the gut that include diarrhea, upset stomach and vomiting that go away on their own after a few days.
Pregnant women, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems may experience more serious symptoms, which can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. These include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Affected pregnant women may feel like their illness is mild, but listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth and life-threatening infection of newborn infants, according to the CDC.
Those in higher-risk categories should call a healthcare provider right away if you experience these symptoms after eating affected foods.
Listeria is not contagious. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
