Metabolic Meals Salmonella Outbreak: What You Need to Know
A multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has recently been linked to ready-to-eat home delivery meals from Metabolic Meals. Sixteen people across ten states have become ill. Seven of those individuals required hospitalization. An investigation is underway to determine the source of contamination and protect public health.
Scope of the Outbreak
Cases have been reported in ten U.S. states: California, Missouri, Georgia, Minnesota, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Illness onset dates range from July 24 to August 15. The median age of those infected is approximately 56 years, with a range from infants to nonagenarians. Slightly more than half of those affected are female. No deaths have been reported. Epidemiologists estimate that actual case counts are likely higher due to underreporting and asymptomatic recovery.
Meals in Question
CDC officials identified several implicated meals that were delivered during the week of July 28. They include:
- Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken (Lot 25199, best-by August 7, 2025)
- Low-Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables (Lot 25202, best-by August 5, 2025)
- Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables (Lot 25205, best-by August 8, 2025)
- Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables (Lot 25203, best-by August 6, 2025)
Other lot codes flagged by investigators include 25204.
Link to Illness Established
Public health authorities confirmed that 83 percent of interviewed patients reported consuming Metabolic Meals products in the week before falling ill. Whole genome sequencing of bacterial isolates from affected individuals confirmed that they share a genetic match, strongly suggesting a common source of contamination.
Antimicrobial Resistance Concerns
Laboratory analysis revealed that the Salmonella Enteritidis strain involved shows predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Those antibiotic traits could limit treatment options for severe infections in vulnerable patients.
Actions and Recommendations
CDC and state health officials urge consumers who purchased these meals to check their refrigerators and freezers. Affected meals should be discarded or returned to the company. Surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with the meals should be thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water or run through a dishwasher.
Individuals who develop symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps, within six hours to six days after consuming these meals should seek medical care. Those experiencing severe symptoms, including prolonged or bloody diarrhea, dehydration, or high fever, should contact health care providers immediately.
Industry Response
Metabolic Meals is actively cooperating with investigators. The company has reached out directly to impacted customers and paused distribution of the implicated meal batches. Officials continue tracing supply chain elements, ingredients, and production processes to identify the contamination source.
Broader Implications
This outbreak highlights a growing concern over food safety in ready-to-eat, home-delivered meals. The convenience of meal subscription services can obscure the critical need for rigorous safety protocols. Role of temperature control, packaging cleanliness, ingredient sourcing, and factory hygiene become even more vital when food bypasses traditional foodservice or retail channels.
This incident also underscores that antimicrobial resistance remains an important factor in outbreak response. Clinicians may need to adjust treatment plans and avoid relying solely on standard antibiotics when resistance is suspected.
Conclusion
Salmonella Enteritidis infections tied to Metabolic Meals have made at least 16 people ill across ten states. Hospitalizations occurred in nearly half of those cases. Temperature-controlled delivery or pre-packaged convenience did not prevent contamination. Stronger safety checks from producer to consumer remain essential. Consumers should stay alert, check their freezers, discard suspect meals, and seek care if symptoms develop.
This outbreak serves as a reminder that food safety must be upheld at every step, even when convenience looks indisputably appealing.
