Consumers may want to double-check their refrigerators.
A deadly foodborne illness has been linked to recalled pasta meals, according to a warning from the CDC that confirms six deaths and 25 hospitalizations across 18 states.
The agency said 27 people have been infected with listeria, a bacteria that, according to the CDC, “can contaminate many foods.” Symptoms may appear the same day or up to 10 weeks after eating affected items.
One of the cases involved a pregnancy-related illness that resulted in the loss of a baby.
Back in June, investigations revealed chicken fettuccine alfredo meals from FreshRealm were making people sick. Further testing traced the contamination to pasta ingredients from Nate’s Fine Foods, a ready-to-eat manufacturer in California. This led to a recall of more than 245,000 pounds of pasta dishes.
Of the 26 patients with available information, all but one were hospitalized. Deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
“State and local health officials continue to gather information of what ill people ate before getting sick,” the CDC said, urging consumers to discard or return recalled foods.
Health officials believe the actual number of infections is likely higher, as many people recover without seeking medical attention.
