Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Metabolic Meals Sickens More Than a Dozen, 7 Hospitalized

On Sept. 5, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a Salmonella outbreak tied to Metabolic Meals home-delivery products made and shipped during the week of July 28; about 16 people across 10 states reported illness and seven were hospitalized.

Key Takeaways

• CDC identified roughly 16 illnesses linked to Metabolic Meals; seven required hospitalization.
• Illnesses were reported in California, Missouri, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Washington.
• Affected meals were prepared and delivered during the week of July 28 and include specific lot codes and best‑by dates.
• Reported meal varieties include tortellini with pesto, low‑carb chicken teriyaki, garlic ranch chicken tenders and sliced top sirloin with peanut sauce.
• Additional implicated lot codes: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, 25205.
• CDC recommends checking refrigerators and freezers for the listed items and discarding them or contacting the company.
• Metabolic Meals said it is cooperating with investigators and has contacted customers who purchased the affected meals.

Verified Facts

The CDC’s Sept. 5 notice links a cluster of Salmonella infections to meals produced and delivered by Metabolic Meals during the week of July 28. Public health investigators reported about 16 people became ill; seven were admitted to hospitals. Officials warned that case counts may rise as laboratory confirmation and case matching can take several weeks.

CDC and state health departments provided meal details to help consumers identify affected products. The meals and associated identifiers are:

Metabolic Meals, a subscription meal delivery service that markets macro‑friendly prepared meals, told investigators it is cooperating and has contacted customers who purchased the listed meal types. CBS News and other outlets sought comment from the company; the CDC issued consumer guidance to discard or return affected products.

Context & Impact

Salmonella is a common bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.; most infections cause gastrointestinal symptoms and resolve without specialized treatment. However, some people—particularly the very young, elderly and immunocompromised—may develop severe illness requiring hospitalization.

Because foodborne outbreak investigations rely on lab testing and patient interviews, health officials warn the current reported case count may underestimate the true number of people sickened. It typically takes three to four weeks to link additional cases to an outbreak after initial detection.

The geographic spread across 10 states indicates distribution of the implicated products beyond a single region. Public health actions focus on informing consumers, tracing product distribution, testing food samples and identifying the contamination source.

Official Statements

“Metabolic Meals is working with public health investigators and has reached out to customers who purchased the affected meal types,” the CDC said in its advisory.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Unconfirmed

• Investigators have not publicly identified the specific contamination point or ingredient that caused the outbreak.
• No nationwide recall was listed in CDC’s initial notice; further regulatory actions may follow as the probe continues.
• The final case count and complete list of affected lots may change pending laboratory and traceback results.

Bottom Line

The CDC links about 16 Salmonella illnesses across 10 states to Metabolic Meals products delivered the week of July 28; seven people were hospitalized. Consumers should check for the specified lot codes and best‑by dates and discard any matching meals, and those who are ill should contact a healthcare provider.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• CBS News
• Metabolic Meals