A Utah resident is dead after a nationwide listeria outbreak caused 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations and four deaths.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food issued an alert Monday warning consumers of an outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals sold nationwide.
“The actual number of illnesses may be higher than the number reported, as many cases may go unreported and it can take three to four weeks to determine if an illness is part of an outbreak,” reads a news release from the agriculture and food department.
Specifically, the products linked to the alert include “Marketside linguine with beef meatballs and marinara sauce” sold at Walmart with “best if used by” dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 29, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1; and “Trader Joe’s Cajun-style blackened chicken breast fettuccine Alfredo” sold at Trader Joe’s with “best if used by” dates of Sept. 20, Sept. 24 and Sept. 27.
State agriculture and food officials advised consumers to:
- Check their refrigerators and freezers, and if they have any of the products, do not eat them. Instead, throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Contact the retailer if they are unsure whether a product purchased is part of this recall or public health alert.
- Seek medical advice if they develop symptoms of listeriosis, especially if pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is “working closely with state and federal partners to ensure Utah consumers are informed and protected,” the release reads.