Federal health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness, that has been traced to a popular brand of frozen meals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has linked at least 18 illnesses across seven states to frozen dinners and bowls produced by RealTaste Foods, Inc. The products were distributed nationwide to major grocery chains, including Walmart, Kroger, and Publix, prompting a widespread recall.
The investigation has identified Listeria monocytogenes in samples taken from the RealTaste Foods production facility in Ohio, and laboratory analysis confirmed the strain matches bacteria isolated from sickened individuals. Of the 18 people infected, 16 have required hospitalization, and officials are investigating one death that may be connected to the outbreak. The company has voluntarily recalled dozens of its frozen meal products and has temporarily halted production at the implicated facility pending a full review of its sanitation and safety protocols. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled items and discard them immediately.
Scope of the Public Health Threat
The outbreak has so far affected residents in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Illnesses started on dates ranging from early July to late August, with the most recent case being reported just last week. The median age of those affected is 68, with patients ranging from 34 to 89 years old. Officials warn that the true number of cases is likely higher than the number reported, as some people recover without medical care and are never tested for listeria.
Listeriosis is particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations. The CDC emphasizes that pregnant people, adults aged 65 or older, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at significantly higher risk for severe infection. In this outbreak, more than 85% of those who fell ill were over the age of 60. Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. For other high-risk groups, the infection can become invasive, spreading beyond the gut to other parts of the body and causing severe complications like bloodstream infections or meningitis.
Identifying the Contaminated Products
RealTaste Foods, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for a broad range of its frozen single-serving meals. The recall notice, posted by the FDA, covers products sold under the brand names “RealTaste Kitchen” and “Good-to-Go Bistro.” Investigators are concerned that consumers may have these products in their freezers for months, given their long shelf life.
Recalled Items and Retailers
The recall includes, but is not limited to, the following popular meals. A full list is available on the FDA’s website.
- RealTaste Kitchen: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Four Cheese Lasagna, Roasted Turkey and Gravy, and Beef Merlot.
- Good-to-Go Bistro: Lemon Herb Chicken, Shrimp Scampi, and Vegetable Pad Thai.
These products were sold in distinctive cardboard packaging and are marked with “best by” dates ranging from March 2026 through August 2026. They were distributed to major national and regional retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Albertsons. Officials believe the contamination is not limited to a single ingredient but may stem from environmental contamination within the processing facility.
Advice for Consumers
Health officials provide clear instructions for anyone who may have purchased these products. First, do not eat them. The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes can survive freezing temperatures and can cause illness even if the food is cooked, as improper or uneven heating may not kill all the bacteria. Consumers should check their freezers for any products matching the recall descriptions. The items should be thrown away in a sealed bag or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Because listeria can easily spread to other foods and surfaces, the CDC recommends a thorough cleaning of any refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products. This should be done using a solution of one tablespoon of unscented liquid bleach to one gallon of water. Wash hands with warm water and soap after handling the products and cleaning.
The Investigation Unfolds
The outbreak was first detected when public health officials noticed a cluster of listeriosis cases with a similar genetic fingerprint through PulseNet, the CDC’s national laboratory network for tracking foodborne illnesses. Investigators used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to analyze the DNA of the listeria bacteria from sick people. WGS provides a highly detailed genetic map of the pathogen, allowing scientists to determine with near certainty whether cases are related and part of a common-source outbreak.
Epidemiologists from the CDC and state health departments then interviewed sick people about the foods they ate in the month before they became ill. A significant number of patients reported consuming RealTaste frozen meals. This epidemiological data, combined with the WGS results, pointed investigators toward the company’s products. Subsequently, FDA inspectors, working with Ohio state officials, collected environmental swabs and product samples from the RealTaste Foods facility. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes on food contact surfaces, leading directly to the recall.
Understanding Listeria Infection
Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium found in soil, water, and some animals. When it contaminates food, it can cause the illness listeriosis, which is rare but has one of the highest hospitalization and death rates among foodborne pathogens.
Symptoms and Incubation
Symptoms can vary depending on the person and the severity of the infection. Some people may only experience common food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and fever. However, in cases of invasive listeriosis, the infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches. One of the most challenging aspects of a listeria investigation is its long incubation period, which can range from 3 to 70 days after consuming contaminated food. This long and variable timeline makes it difficult for people to remember what they ate and for investigators to pinpoint the source.
Vulnerable Populations
For most healthy adults, a listeria infection is unpleasant but not life-threatening. For others, it can be devastating. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other healthy adults to get a listeria infection. While the pregnant person may only experience mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can be passed to the fetus with severe consequences. For older adults and the immunocompromised, listeria can lead to sepsis (a bloodstream infection) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), both of which can be fatal. Anyone who has consumed the recalled products and develops symptoms of listeriosis should seek immediate medical care.