Walmart pasta recall widened to every bag sold over listeria fears

Gias Foods Inc of New York is recalling all lot codes of its bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine sold at Walmart stores nationwide, warning the frozen pasta may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The expansion, announced October 1 and reported by Food Safety News on October 2, follows an initial September 15 recall covering just two lots — L6079C and L6080C, with expiry dates of September 19 and 20, 2027. Shoppers could previously check lot codes to keep unaffected bags; now every 22-ounce yellow plastic bag bearing UPC 194346442706 is included, regardless of lot code or date.

Routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found that finished products may contain the bacteria. Gias Foods says it has stopped distributing the product while it and the Food and Drug Administration investigate the source of the contamination.

No illnesses have been reported to date. But anyone who ate the pasta and develops symptoms — fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhoea — should seek medical treatment and mention the possible exposure. Symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear.

Listeria is most dangerous to children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems; infections in pregnancy can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.

Customers should not eat the product and can return it to any Walmart store for a full refund. Questions can be directed to the company at sales@giasfoods.com.

Sources: Food Safety News · USA Today · Medical Daily