3 Food Recalls You Need To Know About This Week

It’s not every week that we report on contaminated food and faulty appliances that have led to hospitalizations and property damage. Find out why microwaveable chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals, mini fridges, and chocolate-covered almonds are under fire this week.

Ready-to-Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Meals Recalled for Listeria

On June 17, FreshRealm recalled its chicken fettuccine Alfredo products after an ongoing investigation revealed that this item is likely linked to an outbreak strain of listeria monocytogenes. 

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) began exploring this link on March 19, after routine sampling detected the food pathogen.

The CDC reports that there have been 17 confirmed cases of listeriosis, but that the number of sick people is likely higher. (People who recover without going to the doctor aren’t tested for listeria.) Three people died after eating food contaminated with listeria.

The now-recalled ready-to-eat meals were sold nationwide at Kroger and Walmart locations under brand names Marketside and Home Chef.

If you still have the product in your fridge or freezer, toss it immediately or return it to your store for a refund. 

Mini Fridge Recalled After Causing $360,000 in Property Damage

On June 18, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that AstroAI, the maker of beloved mini fridges sold at Target, Walmart, and online at Amazon.com, is recalling about 249,100 mini fridges. 

The recall follows at least 70 reports of the mini fridges smoking, burning, melting, or catching fire. In two cases, the fires caused more than $360,000 in property damage. The CPSC revealed that the product’s electrical switch can short-circuit, which can lead to fires and burns.

The mini fridges sold for about $40 on Amazon and AstroAI.com between June 2019 and June 2022. 

If you have a recalled mini fridge, stop using the appliance immediately and contact AstroAI for a free replacement. Take a picture of the recalled appliance, showing the model and serial number. Send this photo to AstroAI at recall@astroai.com or via astroai.com/product-recall.

If you have questions about the recall, contact AstroAI Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT at 877-278-7624.

Dark Chocolate Almonds Recalled for Undeclared Allergen

On June 13, Meijer announced a recall of Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds across six states. The reason? Due to a packaging and processing mix-up, the packages may also contain dark chocolate-covered cashews, which aren’t disclosed on the label.

Tree nuts are one of the most common food allergens in the country. Someone with an allergy to cashews could unknowingly eat one and have a serious or life-threatening reaction. As of June 20, Meijer says it hasn’t received any reports of illness related to this mix-up.

You can return these items to Meijer for a refund. If you have any other questions, contact Meijer at 800-543-3704 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET any day of the week.