HelloFresh recalled two meals containing spinach that tested positive for listeria, linked to a broader outbreak associated with FreshRealm, which has caused multiple illnesses and deaths. Consumers are advised to discard or return the affected products, and the recall is expected to expand as more contaminated items are identified.
HelloFresh is recalling certain ready-to-eat meals due to potential Listeria contamination in spinach used in the products, posing health risks especially to vulnerable groups. Consumers are advised to check for affected products and discard them.
HelloFresh has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit with Santa Clara County over allegations of misleading automatic renewal subscriptions and false advertising, which affected California consumers between 2019 and 2025. The settlement includes civil penalties, investigative costs, and restitution, although HelloFresh denies wrongdoing. The case highlights ongoing issues with automatic renewal practices and consumer rights in the U.S.
The U.S. government is investigating claims of child labor violations at a subsidiary of HelloFresh, a meal-kit delivery company. The investigation aims to determine whether the company has breached labor laws by employing underage workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating HelloFresh for allegedly employing migrant children at its Illinois facility, with at least six teenagers reportedly working night shifts. The investigation also targets Midway Staffing, the agency responsible for hiring these workers. HelloFresh has terminated its relationship with the staffing agency and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for child labor. This case is part of a broader issue of underage migrant labor in hazardous jobs across various industries in the U.S.
HelloFresh shares plummeted 42% after the company issued a disappointing earnings outlook for 2024, with analysts expressing concern over elevated customer acquisition costs and the removal of previously announced targets for 2025. The Berlin-based firm expects adjusted EBITDA to decrease in 2023 and 2024 due to increased production capacity and marketing expenses, despite a forecast for higher revenue from the North American market. The company's annual results are set to be released on March 15.