Walmart Tomato Bisque Soup Kits Recalled Over Possible Listeria Contamination
Thousands of ready-to-heat tomato bisque soup kits sold at select Walmart stores across the United States have been recalled because of the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness in certain people.
Kettle Cuisine LLC announced the voluntary recall on Aug. 12, 2026, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the recall notice on Aug. 13. The recall involves 3,240 packs of Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit, according to the FDA.
The company began the recall after routine testing produced a presumptive positive result for Listeria monocytogenes. Kettle Cuisine said it is continuing to investigate the matter in coordination with the FDA.
Product Details
The recalled product is a 14-ounce, or 397-gram, Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit. It was sold exclusively at select Walmart locations in 29 states.
The affected products were distributed between June 30 and July 7, 2026. Consumers who purchased tomato bisque soup during that period should check the packaging carefully rather than relying on the product's appearance or smell.
The FDA identifies the recalled product using the following information:
- Brand: Marketside
- Product: Tomato Bisque Soup Kit
- Package size: 14 ounces, or 397 grams
- UPC: 194346474004
- Best-by or use-by date: Aug. 22, 2026
- Quantity recalled: 3,240 packs
The product is packaged in a wrapped tray. Consumers should compare the product in their refrigerator or freezer with the identifying information provided in the FDA recall notice.
The recalled products were distributed to select Walmart stores in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who have the recalled soup kit should not eat it. The FDA advises consumers not to serve, sell or distribute the product.
Instead, customers should either throw the product away or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund. The agency and manufacturer also caution consumers against using smell or appearance as a way to determine whether the soup is safe.
That warning is important because food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not show obvious signs of spoilage. The FDA explains that the bacterium can survive and grow under refrigeration, meaning simply keeping a potentially contaminated food cold does not necessarily eliminate the risk.
People who handled the recalled product should also wash their hands. The FDA recommends cleaning and sanitizing refrigerators, freezers, containers, utensils, countertops and other surfaces that may have come into contact with the product. These steps can help reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.
Why Listeria Can Be Serious
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that can cause an infection known as listeriosis. According to the FDA, the bacteria can enter food during harvesting, processing, preparation, packaging, transportation or storage when contaminated environments or materials are involved.
For many healthy people, listeriosis may cause relatively mild gastrointestinal symptoms. These can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms may last for only a few days in less severe cases.
However, the infection can become much more serious when it spreads beyond the digestive system. Severe listeriosis can cause symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Invasive infection can be life-threatening.
Certain groups face a greater risk of serious complications. These include pregnant women and their unborn or newborn babies, adults age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
Pregnancy is a particular concern because an infection may produce only mild symptoms in the mother while still causing serious complications for the pregnancy. The FDA states that listeriosis during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a potentially life-threatening infection in the newborn.
What to Watch For
Anyone who has eaten the recalled product and develops symptoms that could be consistent with listeriosis should contact a healthcare provider, according to the FDA.
Symptoms can vary. Less severe illness may involve fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. More serious infection can produce neurological symptoms, including headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions.
Pregnant people who may have been exposed and develop fever or other symptoms should contact a healthcare provider promptly. Because symptoms during pregnancy can be mild or difficult to recognize, possible exposure should be discussed with a medical professional when there are concerns.
Consumers should not attempt to diagnose listeriosis based solely on symptoms. A healthcare professional can determine what evaluation or treatment may be appropriate.
No Confirmed Illnesses Reported
Kettle Cuisine said it has not received any confirmed reports of illnesses associated with the recalled tomato bisque soup kits as of the recall announcement.
The recall is therefore a precautionary action following the company's routine testing. The FDA said the investigation is continuing in coordination with Kettle Cuisine.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the Kettle Cuisine hotline at 617-409-1104. The company lists the hotline as available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
The most important step for consumers is to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit. Anyone who finds a package matching the recalled product information should not eat it, regardless of how the product looks or smells.
Food recalls involving Listeria can be especially important for households that include pregnant people, older adults, young children or people with weakened immune systems. Taking the recall seriously and following recommended cleaning procedures can help reduce the risk of exposure.
Source
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Listeria (Listeriosis).
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and is based on information published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the manufacturer. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Product availability, recall information and official guidance can change. Consumers should consult the FDA's official recall notice and contact their healthcare provider if they have concerns about possible exposure or symptoms.