Salmonella outbreak linked to Metabolic Meals; CDC issues food safety alert

The CDC has issued a food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Metabolic Meals home delivery service.

As of Aug. 5, there were 16 confirmed patients across 10 states. Seven of the patients have required hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 24 to Aug. 15. The patients range in age from less than 1 to 96 years old.

Of 12 patients interviewed, 10 reported eating a Metabolic Meals prepared menu item before becoming ill. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating certain Metabolic Meals prepared menu items.

Metabolic Meals home delivery service removed several meals delivered during the week of July 28, 2025.

Consumers are urged not to eat Metabolic Meals. There is some concern that consumers may have the meals in their freezers. Freezing temperatures and reheating do not kill Salmonella germs.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).

WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food, according to the CDC.

There are likely many more people who have been sickened in this outbreak than have been confirmed so far because many people do not seek medical attention and those who do are often not specifically tested for Salmonella. The CDC estimates that for every one patient confirmed in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 who go undetected. 

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten Metabolic Meals and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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