The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a health alert for two popular frozen entrées sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s. The concern: potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause severe illness and, in high-risk populations, even death.
The affected meals include Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara, sold at Walmart, and Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo. Specific best-by dates and establishment numbers were listed in the alert, and both retailers encouraged customers to discard the products or return them for a full refund. At the time of the announcement, no illnesses had been confirmed, but the alert was issued as a precaution due to shared ingredient sources connected to prior outbreaks.
Listeria is especially dangerous because it thrives in cold environments where most bacteria slow down. Unlike many pathogens, it can continue to grow in the refrigerator. This makes frozen and refrigerated meals a particular concern, and why regulators urge consumers not to take risks with questionable products. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
For consumers, the message is straightforward: check your freezer, follow the FSIS guidance, and never consume a product under active investigation. Proper storage—keeping refrigerators below 40°F and freezers at 0°F—reduces general spoilage, but it cannot eliminate pathogens once food is contaminated. Vigilance is key.
From a legal standpoint, cases like this highlight the duty food producers and retailers have to ensure safety across their supply chains. When companies fail to protect consumers from contaminated products, they can be held liable for the consequences. For families affected by foodborne illness, seeking experienced legal representation can be a critical step.
If you or a loved one has become ill after eating contaminated food, it is important to understand your rights. Certain law firms specialize in representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks and have decades of experience holding companies accountable.
Food safety is not just about preventing waste—it’s about protecting lives.
