Hello Fresh Recalls Meals Over Listeria Concerns
Federal health officials have warned against consuming certain Hello Fresh subscription meals due to potential listeria contamination. The affected products, Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta and Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey, were found to contain contaminated spinach.
The contaminated spinach was traced back to FreshRealm, the company that produced the products for Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals. The spinach was supplied by Sno Pac Foods of Caledonia, Minnesota, through their supplier, Del Mar Foods of Watsonville, California. FreshRealm discovered the contamination after testing revealed listeria in the quick-frozen spinach used in the meals.
This is not the first time FreshRealm has faced such an issue. Last month, they confirmed that pasta used in linguine dishes sold at Walmart contained the same strain of listeria linked to an outbreak in June, which has caused at least four deaths and 20 illnesses. No illnesses have been reported from the contaminated Hello Fresh meals so far.
Consumers are advised to discard any affected Hello Fresh meals immediately. Listeria infections can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. If you believe you have consumed an affected product and are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Several other companies, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Albertson's, have also recalled pasta salads and other dishes made with products from Nate's Fine Foods due to potential listeria contamination.
