Washington, D.C. — A frozen fettuccine product sold at Walmart stores nationwide has been recalled because it could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to an announcement published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Gias Foods of New York announced the recall on Sept. 15, involving two lots of Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine. The product was distributed to Walmart stores across the country, meaning consumers in multiple states could have purchased the affected packages.
No illnesses connected to the recalled pasta had been reported to the FDA at the time of the announcement.
Which Frozen Pasta Was Recalled?
The recalled product is Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, a frozen pasta packaged in a 22-ounce yellow plastic pouch.
Consumers who have the product at home should check several identifying details on the package.
The recalled packages have UPC number 194346442706 and may carry either lot number L6079C or L6080C. The expiration date is stamped on the back of the package and is listed as either Sept. 19 or Sept. 20.
The FDA and the company are advising consumers to carefully compare those details before deciding whether they have an affected product.
Because the recalled pasta was sold nationwide at Walmart stores, consumers should not assume the product is unaffected simply because they live outside the states where the contamination concern was initially identified.
Why Is Listeria a Concern?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, an infection that can become serious in certain people.
According to the recall announcement, the bacteria “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”
Healthy people may experience relatively short-term illness, including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
However, Listeria infection can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. The FDA announcement warns that infection can result in miscarriage and stillbirth.
That is why consumers who may have purchased the recalled product are being urged to identify the affected packages and follow the company’s recall instructions.
How Was the Potential Contamination Discovered?
The potential contamination was identified through a routine sampling program conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The discovery prompted Gias Foods to recall the two affected lots and halt distribution while the investigation continues.
The company has paused distribution of the recalled product as officials work to determine the root cause of the potential contamination.
At this point, the recall announcement did not report any confirmed illnesses associated with the frozen pasta.
What Should Walmart Customers Do?
Consumers who purchased the affected fettuccine should not eat the product until they have confirmed whether it is part of the recalled lots.
The company says consumers who purchased an affected product are eligible to return it for a full refund.
Anyone seeking additional information about the recall can contact Gias Foods through the contact information provided in the recall announcement.
Consumers should also pay close attention to the lot number, UPC and expiration date because other products from the same brand are not necessarily included in this particular recall.
What to Know About the Recall
The recall affects a specific frozen pasta product rather than all Bettergoods products or all frozen pasta sold at Walmart.
The key identifiers are:
- Product: Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine
- Package size: 22 ounces
- Package: Yellow plastic pouch
- UPC: 194346442706
- Affected lots: L6079C and L6080C
- Expiration dates: Sept. 19 and Sept. 20
- Retailer: Walmart stores nationwide
- Reason for recall: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
For now, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA in connection with the recalled product, but consumers should still take the recall seriously because of the potential health risks associated with Listeria.
If you have this frozen pasta in your freezer, check the package carefully before preparing or eating it.
Do you have recalled Bettergoods fettuccine in your freezer? Share your experience in the comments and let other shoppers know if you found the affected product at your local Walmart.
