Warning Issued After Listeria Discovered in Spinach Provided in HelloFresh Meals

WASHINGTON — Federal health officials have issued a public health alert covering certain HelloFresh ready-to-eat meals after spinach used in those meals tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The spinach was supplied by Sno Pac Foods and used by FreshRealm, which produces these meals for HelloFresh.

The health alert names two HelloFresh ready-to-eat meal items, shipped directly to consumers:

• HELLO FRESH READY MADE MEALS CHEESY PULLED PORK PEPPER PASTA — 10.1-oz containers bearing Est. 47718, lot code 49107, or Est. 2937, lot code 48840
• HELLO FRESH READY MADE MEALS UNSTUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND TURKEY — 10-oz containers labeled P-47718 with lot codes 50069, 50073, 50698

In a statement, HelloFresh said its popular meal prep kits are not affected and the health alert only applies to the ready-made meals. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said it expects more affected products to be identified.

FSIS said this alert is not related to any other ongoing listeria outbreak investigations, such as the one affecting pre-cooked pasta products.

FreshRealm voluntarily informed FSIS that the spinach used in these meals tested positive for listeria. No illnesses have been reported. 

Customers should not eat the affected meals and throw them away. HelloFresh said it has reached out to customers who purchased the two meals. 

Consumption of food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection primarily affecting older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. 

Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal discomfort. In pregnant women, infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or premature delivery. Listeriosis is typically treated with antibiotics.