Federal health officials have issued an urgent warning to consumers across the United States, advising them to discard or return certain ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at major retailers—including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Albertsons, and Safeway—following a deadly listeria outbreak that has already claimed four lives and sickened at least 20 people. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are leading the investigation, which has linked the contamination to pre-cooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods and used in various popular heat-and-eat dishes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak has spread to at least 15 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The CDC has confirmed that, among those affected, all but one required hospitalization, and the toll includes a pregnant woman who suffered a fetal loss—a stark reminder of the particular danger listeria poses to vulnerable populations.
The FSIS alert, issued late last week, specifically names Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (sold in 12-ounce clear plastic trays at Walmart) and Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (sold in 16-ounce trays at select locations). The Marketside meals carry “best if used by” dates from September 22 through October 1, 2025, and are marked with establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA inspection mark. Trader Joe’s meals have “best by” dates of September 20, 24, or 27, 2025, and establishment number “P-45288.” Both products have been pulled from store shelves, but officials warn that they may still be present in home refrigerators or freezers.
Albertsons and Safeway have also joined the recall, voluntarily pulling deli-made items supplied by the same company. The affected products include “basil pesto bowtie pasta salad,” “grilled chicken and basil pasta extra large,” “spinach bowtie pasta salad,” and “basil pesto bowtie salad.”
The genesis of the alert traces back to an earlier outbreak in June 2025, when several brands of chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals—manufactured by FreshRealm Inc. and sold at Kroger and Walmart—were recalled after they tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. In the wake of that recall, FreshRealm began testing its ingredients more rigorously. Last week, the company’s pasta samples used in the Marketside meatball linguine dish once again tested positive for listeria. Genome sequencing confirmed that the strain matched both the June outbreak and the current cases linked to the recalled products. As the FDA stated in a Monday update, “It is also the same strain of Listeria that is linked to causing illnesses in this outbreak.”
While there have been no illness complaints directly tied to the specific batches of Marketside or Trader Joe’s pasta dishes, both companies acted swiftly. Trader Joe’s explained that it was issuing its guidance “out of an abundance of caution because testing of another brand with a shared ingredient source indicated this product may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.” Walmart echoed this approach, with spokesperson Annie Patterson telling NPR by email, “We have removed these products from our impacted stores and we are working with the supplier to investigate.”
The supplier at the center of the investigation, Nate’s Fine Foods, provides pre-cooked pasta and grains primarily to wholesale food service and restaurant industries, not directly to retail customers. The USDA noted, “The firm is working with the FDA and their customers to determine if additional recalls are needed,” and encouraged consumers to monitor public health alerts for any updates.
For those who have purchased the affected products, the advice is unequivocal: do not eat them. Instead, discard or return the items to the place of purchase. The CDC and FDA also urge consumers to clean their refrigerators, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated food. If symptoms of listeriosis develop—especially in high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems—immediate medical attention is recommended. The CDC reminds the public that “symptoms— which include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance—usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food but could start as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.”
It is worth noting that listeria is particularly insidious. The bacteria can thrive in cold environments, such as refrigerators, and can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that may result in fever, muscle aches, headaches, confusion, and loss of balance. For pregnant women, the stakes are even higher, as listeria can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or life-threatening infections in newborns. While healthy adults outside high-risk groups are less likely to fall seriously ill, the CDC cautions that anyone who develops flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure.
Public health officials believe the true number of listeria cases may be higher than reported, as some people recover without seeking medical care. The CDC has interviewed 13 of the known patients so far, with seven reporting they ate precooked meals before becoming ill; four specifically mentioned chicken fettuccine Alfredo. Three new cases in two additional states have emerged since June, and the investigation continues to determine the full scope of the outbreak.
This latest listeria scare comes on the heels of several others in recent years. In 2024, a separate outbreak linked to deli meat killed 10 people and hospitalized dozens. A January USDA report blamed “inadequate sanitation practices” at a since-closed Boar’s Head facility in Virginia for that incident, prompting federal agencies to outline new steps to better protect the public from listeria contamination.
For consumers seeking more information, Nate’s Fine Foods has set up a hotline at 916-677-7303, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time. The USDA and FDA continue to work closely with manufacturers and suppliers to trace the source of the contamination and prevent further illnesses.
As the investigation unfolds, federal agencies emphasize the importance of vigilance. With ready-to-eat meals a staple in many American households, this outbreak serves as a sobering reminder of the potential risks lurking in seemingly convenient foods and the vital role of robust food safety oversight.
