Deadly Listeria Outbreak 2025: Recalled Pasta Meals Linked to Multiple Deaths Across U.S. Full Details Inside

What’s Happening

A serious food-safety situation has emerged in the United States: an outbreak of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes traced to ready-to-eat or heat-and-eat pasta meals and deli pasta salads. The outbreak has escalated in recent weeks.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports at least 27 confirmed illnesses across 18 states, with at least 6 deaths and 1 fetal loss.
• The outbreak is linked to precooked pasta ingredients supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods (Roseville, California), used by manufacturers of the affected meals.
• Several brands/retailers are involved: among them ready meals sold at major chains such as Marketside (Walmart), Home Chef (Kroger), and meals sold at Trader Joe’s.

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📦 Products & Distribution Details

Some key facts about which products are involved and where they were sold:

• The recall began earlier in the year (June 2025) with certain chicken Alfredo/fettuccine meals made by FreshRealm Inc., sold at Walmart and Kroger. These were recalled because the same outbreak strain of Listeria was found.
• More recently, additional meals and deli salads were added to the alert: e.g., Trader Joe’s Cajun-style Blackened Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (use-by dates around Sept 20–Oct 10) and Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (use-by Sept 22–Oct 1) were flagged.
• Retailer-specific recalls: For example, the The Kroger Co. announced a voluntary recall of “Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad” and “Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad” sold in 24+ states (Aug 29–Oct 2) due to pasta ingredient contamination from Nate’s Fine Foods.
• The full list of recalled items is extensive, covering deli grabs, ready meals, and trays with various best-by/use dates—consumers are urged to check their cupboards and freezers.

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⚠️ Why This Is Serious

Listeria poses a serious health risk, especially to certain groups:

• Pregnant women (risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn infection)
• Older adults (65+)
• Individuals with weakened immune systems
  
  Symptoms may appear from the same day up to 10 weeks after exposure.

Given the number of states, the deaths, and the fact that the contaminated products have been widely distributed (and some may still be in homes), this outbreak is both serious and ongoing.

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🧼 What Consumers Should Do

Here’s a practical checklist if you’re in the U.S. and concerned:

1. Check your fridge & freezer right now. Look for ready-to-eat pasta meals, pasta salads, trays with use-by/expiration dates that match the recalls (e.g., June-Oct 2025).
2. Do not eat any product that matches the recall description. Dispose of it or return it to the store for a refund.
3. Clean everything. Surfaces, containers, refrigerators/freezers: Listeria can survive and spread to other foods.
4. Watch for symptoms, especially if you’re in a higher-risk group: fever, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Seek medical help if you suspect you’ve eaten a recalled product and feel ill.
5. Stay updated. Agencies like CDC, FDA and USDA may issue further updates and recalls as more info comes to light.

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🧾 What’s Next / Why the Outbreak Expanded

• The outbreak seems to involve a shared ingredient — precooked pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods — which was used in multiple brands’ ready meals. The ingredient tested positive for the same outbreak strain of Listeria.
• Because deli meals and ready meals can sit in consumers’ homes, even after store shelves are cleared, risks remain: the CDC notes new illnesses after the initial recalls.
• Investigations continue: whether additional products beyond those currently identified are affected, how far distribution reached, and what remedial measures suppliers/manufacturers will take.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• A major Listeria outbreak has been linked to prepared pasta meals and salads across the U.S., resulting in multiple deaths and dozens of illnesses.
• The contamination appears linked to a shared pasta ingredient source used by several food producers.
• Consumers must check their homes for potentially affected products, discard or return them, and clean their food-storage areas.
• High-risk individuals must be especially vigilant and seek medical advice if they suspect exposure.

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🔎 For Further Reading

• Official CDC outbreak alert: “Expand Listeria Outbreak to Include More Prepared Meals” (Sept 26 2025)
• FDA recall notices (Kroger, Giant Eagle) on specific products and sets of lot codes.
• Monitoring updates: CDC “continues to note illnesses despite product recalls” (Oct 30 2025)

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📰 Final Word

If you have any ready-to-eat pasta meals stored at home from major supermarkets (especially with use-by dates in mid-2025) act now: check them, don’t eat them, and dispose of or return them. The outbreak is not over, and prompt action can protect you and your loved ones.