CT Consumer Protection Dept. Warns Over Recalled Food Linked To Possible Listeria Risk

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is warning residents regarding certain ready-to-eat meals that may be contaminated.

The DCP's concern stems from an alert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Oct. 6. The agency issued a public health alert for certain FSIS-inspected ready-to-eat meals made by FreshRealm and shipped by HelloFresh because they contain a spinach ingredient recalled by Sno Pac Foods over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

FSIS said the alert is precautionary and the products are not tied to ongoing outbreak investigations. The agency expects more affected items may be identified and urged consumers to check for updates.

The alert covers the following products shipped directly to consumers by HelloFresh:

• 10.1-ounce “Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta” with establishment number “Est. 47718” and lot code 49107, or establishment number “Est. 2937” and lot code 48840.
• 10-ounce “Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals Unstuffed Peppers With Ground Turkey” with establishment number “P-47718” and lot codes 50069, 50073, or 50698.

FreshRealm notified FSIS after spinach used in the meals tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No confirmed adverse reactions have been reported.

Listeriosis primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by gastrointestinal illness. Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe illness in newborns. Treatment is with antibiotics.

FSIS said the meals may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and advised against eating them. The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a health care provider.

Questions about the alert can be directed to FreshRealm customer service at 1-888-244-1562 or customerservice@freshrealm.com. Consumers may also call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov. Problems with meat, poultry, or egg products can be reported online at the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.