Two more people have died and seven others have fallen ill in a growing outbreak of listeria infections linked to recalled ready-to-eat pasta meals sold nationwide at major grocery chains including Walmart and Trader Joe’s, federal health officials said Thursday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least six people have now died and 27 others have been sickened across 18 states since the outbreak began in August 2024. The most recent illnesses were reported between September and October, with the latest case confirmed Oct. 16. The newly reported deaths occurred in Hawaii and Oregon, while earlier fatalities were recorded in Illinois, Michigan, Texas and Utah. One infection in a pregnant woman led to the loss of her fetus.
Investigators have traced the outbreak to precooked pasta made by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California. In September, the company recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta, including linguine, fettuccine, penne and other varieties used in prepared meals and deli salads distributed nationwide.
Tests found that the listeria strain in Nate’s pasta matched samples from contaminated chicken fettuccine Alfredo and meatball linguine meals produced by FreshRealm, a San Clemente, California, company that supplied grocery retailers across the U.S. Genetic sequencing confirmed the connection between the pasta and the illnesses.
Several national grocery chains have since issued recalls for dozens of items made with the affected pasta. Health officials are urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers, discard any recalled products immediately, or return them to stores for refunds. Listeria infection can cause severe illness, particularly among pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
The CDC said it is continuing to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state health officials to determine whether additional foods may be contaminated or whether all infected individuals ate recalled meals. Officials emphasized that listeria can survive refrigeration and even grow at cold temperatures, increasing the risk of exposure from ready-to-eat items.
Consumers who experience fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea after eating recalled products should seek medical attention immediately. The agency noted that symptoms can appear from a few days to up to two months after consuming contaminated food.
Below is a list of recalled items tied to the outbreak:
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, 12.5-oz. — best-by June 19 or prior.
- Sprouts Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad sold from the deli service counter or Grab & Go section with best-by dates from Oct. 10 to Oct. 29.
- Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad — expiration dates Sept. 30 through Oct. 7.
- Kroger deli bowtie and penne pasta salads — sold Aug. 29 through Oct. 2.
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls, 9.6-oz. — “best if used by” dates of March 12, 13, 17, and 21, 2027.
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, 16-oz. trays — “best if used by” dates Sept. 20, 24, 27, 28; Oct. 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10.
- Albertsons store-made deli pasta salads — sell-through dates from Sept. 8 to Oct. 4.
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce, 12-oz. — best-by dates Sept. 22, 24–25, and Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, 12.3-oz. — best-by June 26, 2025, or prior; and 32.8-oz. — best-by June 27, 2025, or prior.
Consumers can find updated recall details and product images on the CDC and FDA websites. Officials stress that anyone who may have purchased these items should not consume them, even if they appear or smell normal.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
