A nationwide listeria outbreak has been linked to 17 illnesses, and three deaths, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection.

Ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger have been recalled after a listeria outbreak that has led to 17 illnesses including three deaths and one fetal loss.

The company that made the meals issued a nationwide recall as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they were linked to 17 listeria cases across 13 states.