Dinner plans may need a last-minute switch-up after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a serious health alert involving HelloFresh ready-made meals. Spinach used in certain HelloFresh dishes tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium that can cause severe illness, especially in pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.
The alert, announced on October 6 by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, followed testing by FreshRealm, the California-based company that prepares HelloFresh meals. Contamination was discovered in spinach used in two popular meals: Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta and Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey.
While no illnesses have been reported, consumers are urged to throw away any affected meals and sanitize kitchen surfaces that may have come into contact with them. Officials are investigating whether the contaminated spinach is tied to a larger outbreak linked to pre-made pasta dishes that have sickened 20 people and resulted in four deaths nationwide.
The USDA emphasized that the warning is precautionary but encouraged customers to double-check packaging and stay updated as the investigation continues.
