A Salmonella outbreak linked to home delivery meal kits has already hospitalised seven people across the U.S., with a total of 16 confirmed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The outbreak has been traced back to meals delivered by Metabolic Meals during the week of July 28.
The affected meals include a variety of popular options, such as Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken (Lot Code: 25199, Best By: 08/07/2025), Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables (Lot Code: 25202, Best By: 08/05/2025), Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables (Lot Code: 25205, Best By: 08/08/2025), and Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables (Lot Code: 25203, Best By: 08/06/2025). Additional lot codes linked to the outbreak include 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, and 25205.
Those impacted live in several states, including California, Missouri, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington.
Health officials have warned that the number of affected individuals could be higher, as it can take three to four weeks to determine if a sick person’s symptoms are connected to the outbreak.
The CDC confirmed that Metabolic Meals is cooperating fully with authorities. “Metabolic Meals is collaborating with investigators and has reached out to customers directly who purchased the meal types listed above to inform them of the outbreak,” the agency said in a statement.
Anyone who has eaten one of the affected meals is being urged to monitor themselves for symptoms, which usually appear between six hours and six days after consuming the contaminated food. Signs of infection include diarrhoea, a fever over 102°F, bloody diarrhoea, excessive vomiting, or symptoms of dehydration. Those experiencing any of these issues should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Salmonella outbreaks from ready-made or packaged foods are not uncommon, and this latest incident follows a similar scare earlier this year. On July 14, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Market recalled a batch of Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif, a product from Turkish company Emek Gıda, due to potential Salmonella contamination. These cases highlight the ongoing risk of bacterial outbreaks in pre-packaged and home-delivered foods.
The CDC advises that anyone who has purchased the meals in question should discard them immediately, even if some have been partially consumed, to avoid the risk of further infection. Health officials are also reminding the public about proper food hygiene and safe handling of ready-made meals, especially those kept in the fridge for multiple days.
While meal kits are popular for their convenience, they also carry risks if the food is contaminated at any stage. As this outbreak shows, even pre-portioned, supposedly safe home delivery meals are not immune to bacterial contamination.
For now, Metabolic Meals customers across the U.S. are being urged to check their deliveries, throw away affected products, and stay alert for any symptoms. Salmonella is serious, but early detection and proper medical care can make a huge difference — so don’t ignore any warning signs.
Featured Image Credit: Manjurul/Getty
Lara Owen