More meal kit delivery services may have listeria contamination, health officials warn

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Ready-to-eat meals shipped to subscribers of two popular meal delivery services could be contaminated with listeria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned this week.The USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issued an advisory on Tuesday, Oct. 7, cautioning consumers not to eat certain meals distributed by meal kit delivery services Blue Apron and Marley Spoon. Cauliflower in the affected meals may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for causing listeria poisoning and listeriosis, according to the agency.FreshRealm, the manufacturer of the affected meals, notified FSIS of the issue after riced cauliflower in certain products tested positive for listeria. There have been no reported illnesses linked to the meals and they are no longer available for sale through either company.The warning comes a day after FSIS issued a notice about other foods prepared by FreshRealm and distributed via HelloFresh, another meal delivery service.Which ready-to-eat meals are recalled?DISH by Blue Apron Cheesy Chicken Mac with Vegetables. 13.05-oz. plastic tray packages with lot codes 25240 and 25247 and establishment number P-3081.BALANCE by Marley Spoon BBQ Sauce Beef Meatballs with Cheesy Cauliflower. 10.5-oz. packages with lot code 25255 and establishment number Est. 47718.Manufacturer FreshRealm has contended with other major recalls in recent weeks. On Oct. 6, another meal delivery service, HelloFresh, recalled ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm for possibly contaminated spinach.FreshRealm has also been a source of recalls from stores like Walmart, where some of its products tested positive for the outbreak strain of listeria that has been linked to 20 illnesses, including four deaths, across 15 states as of Sept. 25. This outbreak concerns contaminated pasta products in ready-to-eat meals.USA TODAY has reached out to FreshRealm for comment.What to do with recalled Blue Apron, Marley Spoon mealsConsumers should not eat the impacted meals. The FSIS recommends tossing the affected products in the trash or returning them to the place of purchase for a refund.Wash and sanitize bowls, cups, storage containers and other surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products. Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling and preparing food, especially raw or uncooked products. Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact FreshRealm’s customer service hotline at 1-888-244-1562 or customerservice@freshrealm.com. What are the symptoms of listeria poisoning?Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.Per the CDC, symptoms include:FeverMuscle achesHeadacheStiff neckConfusionLoss of balanceConvulsionsDiarrheaOther gastrointestinal symptomsMiscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infantsDeathPeople in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention, according to the CDC.