The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday alerted consumers that some HelloFresh-branded meal kits may contain spinach contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, advising anyone who purchased the affected products not to consume them. The advisory, posted by the agency and reported by The Associated Press, follows sample testing that raised concerns about potential contamination and has prompted the meal-kit company to notify customers and offer guidance on returning or discarding affected items.

Listeria infections can be mild for healthy adults but pose significant danger to pregnant people, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, public-health officials said. Symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to gastrointestinal distress, and invasive listeriosis can lead to meningitis or septicemia. “If you suspect you have symptoms consistent with listeriosis after consuming recalled food, seek medical attention and mention the potential exposure,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises on its website.

HelloFresh, which ships millions of single-portion meal components weekly in the United States, told customers it is cooperating with federal authorities and reaching out to those who purchased the implicated kits. The company said it is providing refunds or replacements, and encouraged recipients to dispose of the products and to contact HelloFresh customer service with questions. The USDA consumer alert urged customers to consult federal and state recall listings and to follow local public-health guidance.

Beyond immediate consumer safety, the incident underscores regulatory and logistical challenges posed by the expanding meal-kit industry. Leafy greens are typically regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, while meat and poultry fall under the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Meal kits that combine produce, proteins and processed elements can cross these jurisdictional lines, complicating inspection responsibilities and the speed of tracebacks when contamination is detected. Industry analysts and food-safety experts say that blurred regulatory boundaries can delay identification of a contamination source and hinder rapid recall response.

“Products that straddle agency jurisdictions create practical hurdles for tracing and enforcement,” said a longtime food-safety consultant. “Policymakers will likely be asked to clarify roles and to strengthen traceability requirements across the supply chain.”

Congressional staffers and consumer advocates have in recent years pressed for tighter rules on traceability and testing following high-profile outbreaks linked to produce and processed foods. The HelloFresh advisory may renew calls for legislative or regulatory action, especially as grocery and delivery models continue to evolve. Lawmakers who represent agricultural states or manufacturing hubs are likely to weigh in as constituents seek accountability and reassurance.

For now, public-health officials emphasize vigilance. Consumers who believe they purchased affected HelloFresh meals should check federal recall notices, contact the company, and consult health-care providers if they experience symptoms. Regulators will be watched closely for how rapidly they can isolate the source, notify the public and prevent further exposure.