Federal Health Officials Warn Against Certain Hello Fresh Meal Kits Over Listeria Concerns
Federal health officials issued a warning late Monday, October 6, 2025, advising consumers not to eat certain Hello Fresh subscription meal kits containing spinach that may be contaminated with listeria bacteria.
The U.S. Agriculture Department released a public health alert for these products, which were produced by FreshRealm, a San Clemente, California-based company linked to an expanding listeria outbreak associated with heat-and-eat pasta meals.
Affected Products
The recalled products include:
– **Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta** (10.1-ounce containers), identified by establishment numbers Est. 47718 with lot code 49107 or Est. 2937 with lot code 48840.
– **Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey** (10-ounce containers), identified with Est. P-47718 and lot codes 50069, 50073, or 50698.
Both products were shipped directly to consumers.
Cause of the Recall
FreshRealm alerted the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service after spinach used in these meal kits tested positive for listeria. This discovery is part of a broader investigation linked to an ongoing listeria outbreak.
Background on the Outbreak
Last month, FreshRealm reported that testing confirmed the presence of the same listeria strain in pasta used in linguine dishes sold at Walmart. This outbreak, originally related to chicken fettuccine Alfredo, has resulted in at least four deaths and 20 illnesses, with the most recent case reported on September 11.
Genetic testing revealed the outbreak strain of listeria in samples of pasta made and supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California. Subsequently, several companies, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Albertson’s, have recalled pasta salads and other products made with ingredients from Nate’s Fine Foods due to potential contamination.
Health Risks of Listeria
Listeria infections can cause serious illness, especially among older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals, and newborns. Symptoms to watch for include:
– Fever
– Muscle aches
– Headache
– Stiff neck
– Confusion
– Loss of balance
– Convulsions
According to the CDC, approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. contract listeria infections each year, and about 260 die as a result.
Preventive Measures
In December, federal officials announced plans to revamp protocols aimed at preventing listeria infections following several high-profile outbreaks. One notable outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats caused 10 deaths and more than 60 illnesses last year.
Consumers are advised to stay informed, follow recalls closely, and discard any potentially affected products immediately.
Stay Informed
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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/usda-warns-that-hello-fresh-meals-may-contain-listeria-tainted-spinach/article_b88a3e69-cac7-4fbc-847d-b74a51264088.html
