Health officials across the United States are sounding the alarm after a deadly listeria outbreak swept through 18 states, leaving six people dead and at least 25 hospitalized. The culprit? Ready-to-eat pasta meals distributed by Nate's Fine Foods Inc., a major supplier whose products ended up on the shelves of household-name grocery chains like Kroger, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Albertsons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), has been racing to trace the outbreak since it began in August 2024. Their latest public health alert, issued on October 30, 2025, confirms that the crisis is far from over.
According to the CDC, the outbreak has now affected at least 27 people, with illnesses reported from coast to coast—California, Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Tragically, the outbreak has claimed lives in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. One of the most heartbreaking cases involved a pregnancy-associated illness that resulted in a fetal loss, underscoring the grave risks listeria poses to pregnant people and newborns.
The timeline of the outbreak stretches back to August 1, 2024, when the first samples from sick individuals were collected. Since then, the numbers have steadily climbed. The CDC’s October 30 update revealed seven additional illnesses and two more deaths since the previous alert in September. “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is also likely higher than the number reported,” the CDC warned, noting that some people recover without medical care and are never tested for listeria.
The source of the outbreak was eventually traced to Nate’s Fine Foods, a ready-to-eat foods manufacturer based in Roseville, California. On September 29, 2025, the company initiated a voluntary recall of more than 245,000 pounds of prepared pasta dishes, a move it described as being made “out of an abundance of caution.” In a public statement, Nate’s Fine Foods expressed regret and reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety: “We recognize the seriousness of Listeria infections, particularly for pregnant individuals, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. We encourage anyone who may have consumed the recalled product(s) and is experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider promptly.” The company added, “Nate's Fine Foods sincerely apologizes for the concern this may cause. We remain fully committed to transparency and to taking every necessary step to protect the health and trust of our consumers.”
The list of recalled products is extensive and reads like a roll call of popular American convenience foods. Among those affected are:
- Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad (use-by dates Oct. 10-29, 2025)
- Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad (expiration dates Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2025)
- Kroger deli bowtie and penne pasta salads (sold Aug. 29-Oct. 2, 2025)
- Scott & Jon's Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (best if used by dates in March 2027)
- Trader Joe's Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (best if used by dates Sept. 20-Oct. 10, 2025)
- Albertsons store-made deli pasta salads (sell-thru dates Sept. 8-Oct. 4, 2025)
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (best if used by dates Sept. 22-Oct. 1, 2025)
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (best-by dates June 26-27, 2025)
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (best-by date June 19, 2025)
While some of these products are now past their best-by dates, health officials stress that the risk remains if any are lingering in home refrigerators or freezers. The FDA advises consumers who are unsure if they have purchased any of the recalled items to contact their retailer. “Double check your refrigerators and freezers for recalled food and do not eat them,” the CDC stated bluntly. “Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the affected foods. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.”
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for this outbreak, is a particularly insidious pathogen. Unlike many other bacteria, it can survive and even thrive in cold environments like refrigerators. According to the CDC, listeriosis is especially dangerous for pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant individuals, infection can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The CDC estimates that about 1,250 people are infected with listeriosis in the U.S. each year, resulting in roughly 172 deaths.
Symptoms of listeriosis can be severe and include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. In higher-risk groups, the illness can escalate rapidly. “People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention,” the CDC advises. The agency’s warning is clear: don’t take chances with recalled food products, especially if you or your loved ones fall into one of the vulnerable categories.
The impact of the outbreak has been felt across the country, with cases confirmed in states as far apart as Michigan and Hawaii. In Michigan, for example, at least two illnesses have been directly linked to the tainted pasta products. Both the CDC and FDA have urged consumers to return affected products to the place of purchase for a refund or simply throw them away. They also recommend thoroughly washing hands, bowls, cups, storage containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products.
As the investigation continues, health officials are working to determine if additional foods may be contaminated. The CDC and state agencies are gathering more information from those who have fallen ill, hoping to prevent further cases. Meanwhile, Nate’s Fine Foods has pledged ongoing cooperation with authorities and continued transparency as the crisis unfolds. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy our products, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps until this matter is resolved,” the company said.
For now, the message from health officials is simple: vigilance is key. With listeria’s ability to survive in cold environments and its devastating effects on vulnerable populations, even a forgotten tray of pasta in the back of the fridge could pose a serious risk. Anyone who suspects they may have consumed a recalled product is urged to watch for symptoms and seek medical care if needed. As the investigation presses on, the hope is that swift recalls, public awareness, and careful food handling will stem the tide of this deadly outbreak.
