USDA Issues Health Alert for Home Delivered Meal Where Spinach Ingredient Positive for Listeria

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for FSIS-inspected ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm under the Hello Fresh brand containing spinach (FDA regulated ingredient) that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when FreshRealm notified FSIS that the spinach used in these products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Here is another heat and serve (ready-to-eat) product that has a Listeria issue.  One ingredient, spinach, was found to be positive for Listeria.  Was this spinach pre-cooked (blanched) by the supplier or by cooked or partially cooked by FreshRealm (where it would been received raw and then cooked in the development of the meal)?  In either case, the company making the meal is responsible for ensuring the RTE meal is free from Listeria.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-meals-containing-spinach-may-be
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ready-To-Eat Meals Containing Spinach That May Be Contaminated With Listeria

FreshRealm, Indianapolis, IN

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for FSIS-inspected ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm containing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated ingredient, specifically spinach, that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

FDA Issues Update on Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ready-to-Eat Pasta

FDA issued an update on the Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta produced by Nate's Fine Foods, Inc.  A number of recalls have been issued by various retailer nationwide.

To date, there have been 20 reported cases with 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 20
Hospitalizations: 19
Deaths: 4
Last Illness Onset: September 11, 2025
States with Cases: CA, FL, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, UT, VA
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Interesting is that this has not received the same attention as the Listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head product.  Granted, there were more cases and deaths, but any death from eating contaminated food is tragic.

FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-prepared-pasta-meals-june-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Prepared Pasta Meals (June 2025)

Do not eat or serve certain meals containing pre-cooked pasta. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

FDA Tightens Import Controls for Indonesia After Cesium Positive Testing for Shrimp and Now Cloves

After detecting ceseum 137 in a load of shrimp (which resulted in recalls for shrimp from the Indonesian supplier., PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati ) and then detecting the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice, the FDA issued an import alert for chemical contamination. Products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and from PT Natural Java Spice and these companies will not be permitted to enter the U.S. market until these firms provide the FDA with information to adequately demonstrate that they have resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violations.

Effective October 31, 2025, the agency will require import certification for shrimp and spices from certain regions of Indonesia, based on the risk of potential contamination of the food with Cesium-137.

"At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce. Currently, the FDA has identified that all implicated product is tied to PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and PT Natural Java Spice, both firms of Indonesia."


https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/fda-response-imported-foods-potentially-contaminated-cesium-137
FDA Response to Imported Foods Potentially Contaminated with Cesium-137

CA Establishment Issues Recall for Corn Dogs for Foreign Wood Material in Batter

Foster Poultry Farms, LLC, a Livingston, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,843,040 pounds of chicken corn dog products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of wood embedded in the batter.  The problem was discovered after FSIS received a consumer complaint involving an injury from consumption of these products. Additionally, the establishment received multiple consumer complaints, 5 of which involved injuries. 

On September 27, the Hillshire Brands Company, a Haltom City, Tex. establishment, recalled  approximately 58,000,000 pounds of corn dog and sausage on a stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of wood embedded in the batter.   

These two recalls are probably related, but not clear how.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/foster-poultry-farms-llc-recalls-chicken-corn-dog-products-due-possible-extraneous
Foster Poultry Farms, LLC Recalls Chicken Corn Dog Products Due To Possible Extraneous Matter Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2025 – Foster Poultry Farms, LLC, a Livingston, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,843,040 pounds of chicken corn dog products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of wood embedded in the batter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

NY Firm Recalls Noodles Due to Packaging Mix-Up Resulting in Undeclared Egg Allergen

Twin Marquis LLC is voluntarily recalling one production date of individually wrapped Twin Marquis® Thick Shanghai Style Plain Noodle packages due to possible undeclared egg allergen. The affected packages of Shanghai Style noodles, which do not list egg as an ingredient, may mistakenly contain Lo Mein noodles, which are made with egg.  The item being recalled was produced on May 20, 2025, at the company’s production facility in Brooklyn, New York. The company discovered the issue as the result of a complaint from a distributor.

The affected noodles were distributed through ethnic retail outlets nationwide.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/twin-marquis-llc-voluntarily-recalls-twin-marquisr-thick-shanghai-style-plain-noodle-packages-due
Twin Marquis LLC Voluntarily Recalls Twin Marquis® Thick Shanghai Style Plain Noodle Packages Due to Undeclared Egg
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 03, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 04, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Egg
Company Name:  Twin Marquis LLC
Brand Name:  Twin Marquis
Product Description:  Thick Shanghai Style Plain Noodles

Michigan Firm Recalls Dog Chews After FDA Testing Finds Salmonella

Best Buy Bones, Inc. of Mount Morris, Michigan is recalling four lots of Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites 1 Pound pet treats in 16 oz. bags with a shared expiration date of September 2027 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The health risk was discovered when samples of the product were collected on September 11, 2025, and tested by the Food and Drug Administration. The product tested positive for Salmonella. The company has ceased production and distribution of this product as the FDA, and the company continue their investigation into what caused the problem.

34 bags of Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites 1 Pound pet treats were distributed out of Minnesota and sold through retail stores in Wisconsin after September 23.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/best-buy-bones-inc-recalls-natures-own-pet-chews-bully-bites-because-possible-salmonella-health-risk
Best Buy Bones, Inc. Recalls Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 03, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 03, 2025
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Foodborne illness - Salmonella
Company Name:  Best Buy Bones, Inc.
Brand Name:  Nature’s Own
Product Description:  Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats

More Retailers Issue Recalls for Pasta Products Using Pasta Linked to Listeria Outbreak

More recalls were issued by various retailers for pasta product containing the pasta form Nate's Fine Foods that has been linked to a Listeria outbreak.

• Albertsons Companies updated their previously issued recall for product from Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc.
• Giant Eagle issued a recall for Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
• Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), recalled Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/update-albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-select-store-made-deli-items-containing-bowtie-pasta
UPDATE - Albertsons Companies Voluntarily Recalls Select Store-Made Deli Items Containing Bowtie Pasta Supplied by Fresh Creative Foods Due to an Ingredient Recall for Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 01, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 02, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination  

Company Name:  Albertsons Companies
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Bowtie Pasta Salads and Meals

NY Distributor Recalling Enoki Mushrooms After State Testing Finds Listeria

New Age International Inc of Brooklyn, NY 11206 is recalling its 200g (7.05OZ) packaged of Signature Enoki Mushroom, Product of K Food (Korea Food Signature) because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The contamination was discovered after sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some 200g packages of Signature Enoki Mushroom.

The recalled Signature Enoki Mushrooms were distributed to a retail store and distributor in New York City.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-age-international-recalls-signature-enoki-mushrooms-due-potential-health-risk
New Age International Recalls Signature Enoki Mushrooms Due to Potential Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 29, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 01, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  
Reason for Announcement:  Product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  New Age International Inc
Brand Name:  Signature
Product Description:  Enoki Mushrooms

CA Bakery Recalls Bundt Cakes Due to Undeclared Wheat and Milk

Doan’s Bakery of Woodland Hills, CA is recalling White Chocolate Coconut and Carrot Bundt Cakes because they may contain undeclared wheat and milk.   This issue was discovered during a routine facility inspection on September 24, 2025. Doan’s Bakery took immediate corrective action, and updated labeling is now in place across all affected products.

The recalled bundt cakes were sold by Doan’s Bakery and distributed nationwide via mail order via goldbelly.com from June 1, 2025 through September 24, 2025.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/doans-bakery-issues-allergy-update-undeclared-wheat-and-milk-allergens-bundt-cakes
Doan’s Bakery Issues Allergy Update on Undeclared Wheat and Milk Allergens in Bundt Cakes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 01, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 01, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergens, wheat and milk
Company Name:  Doan's Bakery
Brand Name: Doan's Bakery
Product Description:  White Chocolate Coconut & Carrot Bundt Cakes