A listeria outbreak linked to precooked pasta in ready-to-eat meals has claimed six lives and hospitalized 25 people across 18 states, federal health officials reported.
The Food and Drug Administration updated its investigation last week, noting seven new illnesses and two additional deaths since September 25. One case involved a pregnancy that ended in fetal loss. Total illnesses stand at 27.
Cases span California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The contamination traces to pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, prompting recalls of various meals sold at chains including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Giant Eagle, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Recalled items include:
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5-oz, best-by June 19, 2025, or earlier.
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine in 12.3-oz and 32.8-oz sizes, best-by June 26-27, 2025, or earlier.
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz, best-by September 22-October 1, 2025.
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo 16-oz trays, best-by September 20-October 10, 2025.
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6-oz, best-by March 12-21, 2027.
- Kroger deli bowtie and penne pasta salads sold August 29-October 2, 2025.
- Albertsons Companies store-made deli pasta salads, sell-by September 8-October 4, 2025.
- Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad, expiration September 30-October 7, 2025.
- Sprouts Farmers Market smoked mozzarella pasta salad, use-by October 10-29, 2025.
The FDA urged consumers to “double-check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled foods” and discard them.
Listeriosis strikes hardest in older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include “fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms,” the Food Safety and Inspection Service said. In pregnant women, it risks “miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.”
The infection kills about 172 Americans annually, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, ranking third among foodborne fatalities.
Officials continue to test products and track cases, with Nate’s Fine Foods cooperating in the investigation that began in June. Those experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of eating suspect items should seek care and mention possible exposure, authorities advised.
Contact retailers for questions on purchases.