On September 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued an urgent public health alert that has consumers across the country checking their refrigerators and freezers. The warning centers on ready-to-eat Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce, a popular pasta meal sold in 12-ounce clear plastic trays at Walmart locations nationwide. The concern? A potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes—a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.
According to FSIS, the affected pasta meals are marked with “best if used by” dates spanning September 22, 2025, through October 1, 2025. Shoppers are urged to look for establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package. While Walmart has already pulled these items from store shelves, officials worry that many consumers may still have them tucked away at home, unaware of the risk lurking in their kitchens.
The contamination was uncovered during an ongoing investigation into a listeria outbreak previously linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The producing company, working in concert with federal authorities, took samples of the pre-cooked pasta used in the linguine dishes. The results were troubling: tests confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the pasta. As of now, further testing is underway to determine whether this strain matches the one responsible for the earlier outbreak, but the warning from FSIS is clear and immediate.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” FSIS stated in its public advisory. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
This is not the first time FSIS has had to issue such a warning. Back in June 2025, the agency released a recall notice linked to the same listeria outbreak. Since then, FSIS has been working closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state public health partners to track the source and prevent further illnesses. The investigation remains active, and officials caution that additional products could be implicated as more information comes to light.
So, what exactly is listeria, and why is it so dangerous? Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium found in soil, water, and some animals, including cattle and poultry. It can contaminate food at various points along the supply chain, especially in ready-to-eat products that aren’t cooked again before consumption. While healthy adults may experience only mild symptoms, the infection—known as listeriosis—can be devastating for certain groups.
According to the CDC and FSIS, listeriosis primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. For these populations, the infection can lead to severe illness, including fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women face additional risks: listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
“People in high-risk categories who develop flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure,” FSIS advised. The agency also notes that listeriosis is treated with antibiotics, but early diagnosis is critical, especially for those most at risk.
For many Americans, food recalls and health alerts have become all too familiar. In recent years, outbreaks involving listeria, salmonella, and E. coli have led to recalls of everything from leafy greens to frozen fruit. The FSIS alert about the Walmart pasta meals is the latest reminder of the importance of food safety oversight and the challenges of keeping the food supply secure.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” the agency warned, highlighting the lingering risk even after the product has been pulled from shelves. Consumers are encouraged to double-check their food storage and not to take chances. If you spot the affected Marketside linguine meal with the specified dates and establishment numbers, the safest course is to discard it immediately or return it to the store for a refund.
For those with questions or concerns, Nate’s Fine Foods—the company involved in producing the pasta meals—has set up a hotline at 916-677-7303. Representatives are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday, to answer consumer inquiries and provide further guidance.
While the FSIS, FDA, and CDC continue their investigation, they are urging consumers to stay informed. “FSIS expects more updates as this investigation continues. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently because additional products may be added,” the agency said in its statement.
The current alert is part of a broader pattern of vigilance following a series of listeria-related recalls this year. In June, a similar outbreak prompted the removal of chicken fettuccine alfredo meals from store shelves, underscoring the persistent threat posed by this bacterium in ready-to-eat foods. Experts emphasize that while food safety systems in the U.S. are robust, the complexity of modern supply chains means that occasional lapses can have far-reaching consequences.
“Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,” FSIS explained. Symptoms can appear as late as two months after eating contaminated food, making it difficult to trace the source of infection without thorough investigation and public cooperation.
For now, the message is simple: check your fridge, check your freezer, and stay alert for updates. If you or someone you know is in a high-risk group and begins to feel ill after consuming one of these products, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. With federal and state agencies working around the clock, the hope is that swift action and public awareness will prevent further cases of listeriosis and keep families safe.
As the investigation continues, FSIS and its partners promise to keep the public informed. In the meantime, a little vigilance—combined with prompt action—could make all the difference.
