Fact Check: "16 people hospitalized due to listeria from chicken fettucine alfredo."
What We Know
A recent outbreak of Listeria infections has been linked to certain chicken fettuccine alfredo meals produced by FreshRealm. According to the CDC, as of June 18, 2025, there have been 17 reported cases of Listeria infections across 13 states, with 16 of those individuals requiring hospitalization. Additionally, the outbreak has resulted in 3 reported deaths, with cases spanning from July 2024 to May 2025. The affected meals were sold at major retailers such as Walmart and Kroger under various brand names, including Marketside and Home Chef.
The CDC has advised consumers to avoid these recalled meals and to clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products, as Listeria can survive in refrigerated conditions and spread to other foods (CDC, 2025).
Analysis
The claim that "16 people were hospitalized due to listeria from chicken fettucine alfredo" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The CDC's official statements confirm that 16 of the 17 reported cases resulted in hospitalization, highlighting the severity of the outbreak (CDC). Furthermore, the investigation by the USDA and FDA corroborates these findings, indicating that the contaminated meals were indeed the source of the infections (USDA, FDA).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are authoritative public health organizations responsible for monitoring and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks. The data presented is based on epidemiological and laboratory investigations, which are standard practices in outbreak response. The CDC's use of the PulseNet system for DNA fingerprinting of bacteria adds an additional layer of credibility, as it allows for precise tracking of the outbreak's source (CDC).
While some reports may vary slightly in details, the consensus across these reputable sources confirms the hospitalization of 16 individuals due to the outbreak linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The potential for misinformation is low, given the coordinated response from multiple public health agencies.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that 16 people were hospitalized due to listeria from chicken fettuccine alfredo is accurate. The data from the CDC and other health agencies clearly indicate that these meals were responsible for a significant outbreak, resulting in multiple hospitalizations and fatalities. The evidence is robust, coming from reliable public health sources that have conducted thorough investigations.
