A sprawling outbreak of listeria tied to precooked pasta meals has resulted in six deaths and at least 25 hospitalizations across 18 states, prompting federal health officials to issue urgent warnings to consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled products. The illnesses, which have been tracked since last year, are linked to a variety of ready-to-eat pasta dishes supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, a California-based manufacturer. The recalled meals were sold nationwide at major grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 27 cases of infection with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The true number of people affected is likely higher, as some individuals may recover without seeking medical care and therefore are not tested for the infection. The investigation, which began after the first illnesses were reported, pinpointed contaminated pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods as the source. In response, the company initiated a voluntary recall of more than 245,000 pounds of prepared pasta dishes. Health officials are concerned that some of the recalled products, including frozen meals with long shelf lives, may still be in consumers’ homes, posing an ongoing risk.
Wide-Reaching Public Health Impact
The listeria outbreak has affected a broad swath of the country, with cases reported in 18 states: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Fatalities have been recorded in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. The ages of those who fell ill range from 4 to 92, illustrating the pathogen’s ability to cause severe illness in people across the lifespan. Among the confirmed cases was a pregnant individual whose illness tragically resulted in a fetal loss, highlighting the particular danger listeria poses during pregnancy.
Federal agencies, including the CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), are coordinating with state health departments to manage the public health response. The investigation involves tracing the distribution of the contaminated products and identifying any other foods that may be affected. Officials have collected samples from sick individuals dating from August 1, 2024, to October 16, 2025, to genetically link the illnesses to the specific strain of listeria found in the pasta products. This genetic fingerprinting is crucial for confirming the outbreak’s source and scope.
Details of the Recalled Products
The recall encompasses a wide range of ready-to-eat and frozen pasta meals containing various types of pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, and farfalle. These products were sold under several different brand names at popular grocery stores. Nate’s Fine Foods issued its voluntary recall after a sample of its pasta tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company stated it is cooperating fully with health officials to investigate the source of the contamination.
Specific Items and Retailers
Among the most widely distributed recalled items are the 12-ounce “MARKETSIDE LINGUINE WITH BEEF MEATBALLS & MARINARA SAUCE,” sold at Walmart, and the 16-ounce “Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo.” Other retailers that sold the affected products include Albertsons, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Kroger. While many of the recalled refrigerated products are now past their “best by” dates, some frozen items, such as Scott & Jon’s shrimp scampi with linguini bowls, have use-by dates extending as far as March 2027, posing a significant long-term risk.
The CDC and FSIS have urged consumers to check their freezers and refrigerators for any products from Nate’s Fine Foods or the listed retailers. A comprehensive list of the recalled products is available on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. Officials advise that anyone possessing these products should not consume them; they should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
The Dangers of Listeria Infection
Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis, one of the leading causes of death from foodborne illness in the United States. An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. get listeriosis each year. The bacteria are particularly dangerous because they can survive and grow at refrigerator temperatures, making them a persistent threat in ready-to-eat foods.
Symptoms and At-Risk Populations
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system. For certain vulnerable populations, the consequences can be dire. Pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for severe illness. In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn. The current outbreak has already underscored this risk with one reported fetal loss.
Official Recommendations and Safety Measures
In light of the outbreak’s severity, health agencies have issued clear guidance for consumers. The primary recommendation is to discard any recalled pasta meals immediately. Because listeria can easily spread to other foods and surfaces, the CDC emphasizes the importance of thoroughly cleaning any refrigerators, freezers, containers, or surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to determine if additional products may be contaminated. Nate’s Fine Foods stated that it is committed to food safety and initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution.” Consumers who have eaten any of the recalled products and are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis are advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately. This outbreak serves as a critical reminder of the potential dangers of foodborne pathogens and the importance of heeding public health warnings and recall notices.