Gias Foods of New York has recalled frozen fettuccine pasta sold at Walmart stores nationwide over concerns of potential contamination with deadly listeria bacteria.
The recall applies to 22-ounce yellow plastic bags of bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine marked with Universal Product Code 194346442706. The affected packages carry lot numbers L6079C or L6080C and have an expiration date of September 19 or September 20, 2027.
Health officials discovered the potential contamination during a routine sampling program conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Routine testing showed that the finished pasta products may contain Listeria monocytogenes, prompting Gias Foods to stop distribution of the product.
Gias Foods and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating the cause of the contamination. The FDA, an agency of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, monitors food safety and oversees voluntary industry recalls across the United States.
Consumer advice and store returns
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recall. However, health officials urge customers not to consume the fettuccine and to either throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Walmart is the largest grocery retailer in the United States, operating thousands of supercenters and neighborhood markets nationwide. The retail giant carries the private-label bettergoods brand across its food and grocery departments.
Health risks of listeria contamination
Listeria monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that causes listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. The bacteria can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation, and animals, and can survive refrigeration as well as other standard food preservation measures.
Many foods can harbor the bug, but it is most commonly found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and ready-to-eat foods such as pre-packed sandwiches. Cooked shellfish, cured meats, fish including sushi, and pre-cut fruit also carry a risk of contamination.
About 1,250 Americans are infected with listeria each year, with most recovering on their own. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, which are sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Approximately 250 people in the United States die from listeria infections each year. Fatalities typically occur when the infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract to affect the central nervous system, making listeriosis one of the deadliest foodborne pathogens.
