Spinach in Meal Kits May Be Risky

A recent alert from health officials warns that some Hello Fresh meal kits might have spinach tainted with listeria. The meals in question were made by FreshRealm, a company already connected to a listeria outbreak from pasta meals. The affected meals are Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta and Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey. These were sent directly to customers, so if you have one, check the details carefully. The pork pasta has specific codes: Est. 47718 with lot code 49107 or Est. 2937 with lot code 48840. The unstuffed peppers have Est. P-47718 with lot codes 50069, 50073, or 50698. The issue came to light when FreshRealm told the USDA that the spinach in these meals tested positive for listeria. The spinach was supplied by Sno Pac Foods, through Del Mar Foods. The strain found is not linked to any known outbreak, and no illnesses have been reported yet. This is not the first time FreshRealm has faced listeria issues. Last month, they found the same listeria strain in pasta sold at Walmart. That outbreak, which started with chicken fettuccine Alfredo, has sadly caused at least four deaths and sickened 20 people. Listeria is a serious concern, especially for older adults, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and even severe issues like confusion and convulsions. Each year, about 1, 600 people get sick from listeria, and around 260 die. Health officials are working to improve safety protocols to prevent such outbreaks. It's important to stay informed and check any recalls or alerts related to the food you eat.