Pasta Recall in 8 States Due to Listeria Contamination Concerns
According to News Week, Frozen Fettuccine Alfredo entrees sold in at least eight states have been recalled over concerns about potential contamination with a potentially deadly bacteria.
A recall notice posted on Wegmans’ website on Friday alerted consumers about the issue. The 8-ounce packages of Michelina’s “Fettuccine Alfredo Entree w/ Chicken & Broccoli” were flagged for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can sometimes cause life-threatening infections.
Recalled Products Limited to Wegmans Locations
While Michelina’s is a well-known brand available at various retailers across the United States, this recall is believed to affect only products sold at Wegmans stores. Wegmans operates in eight states—New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Maryland—as well as the District of Columbia.
The recalled entrees can be identified by a UPC number of “71785410521” on the packaging and product codes “J4274,” “J4233,” or “J4269.” The affected packages also feature “Best By” dates of “9/30/2025,” “8/20/2025,” or “9/25/2025.”
Customers who purchased these items are advised to return them to the store for a full refund. Any further questions can be directed to the product manufacturer, Bellisio Foods, at 1-866-240-5364 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Listeria: A Serious Health Risk
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection that can be particularly severe in certain individuals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1,600 people contract the illness each year, and about 260 of those cases are fatal.
Listeriosis often begins as a digestive system infection, causing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. However, in some cases, the infection becomes invasive, with more severe symptoms developing over a period of up to two weeks.
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Invasive listeriosis presents with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Around one in 20 people who develop this form of the illness, but are not pregnant, will die.
For pregnant individuals, the symptoms are usually mild or even nonexistent. However, the invasive form of the illness poses a serious risk to unborn babies, often leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe infection in newborns.
Listeria Outbreaks and Recalls
Although cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks do occur sporadically, often triggering food recalls. Contamination concerns with Listeria monocytogenes are a frequent cause of such actions.
Earlier this year, a listeriosis outbreak linked to recalled Boar’s Head deli meats had killed 10 people and infected at least 59 others as of late September. The CDC reported that the true number of cases was likely higher than reported, as some individuals may recover without medical attention or testing. Additionally, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine whether new cases are part of an outbreak.
