The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has widened its nationwide recall of ready-to-eat prepared foods following an increase in recent cases of listeriosis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) initially issued a public health advisory Sept. 29 for certain pasta dinners following a recall by Roseville, California-based Nate’s Fine Foods.
Additional testing revealed pre-cooked pasta shipped to food processors to contain Listeria monocytogenes, the pathogen that causes listeriosis. As of early October, the outbreak has been linked to a total of at least 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and four deaths.
Cause of outbreak and initial recall
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators first identified a cluster of listeriosis cases in June linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals by FreshRealm, Inc. Whole genome sequencing then confirmed the contaminated linguine pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods was linked to the outbreak strain. On September 25, FSIS issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat food products with this pasta, and on September 29, Nate’s Fine Foods issued voluntary recall of pre-cooked fettucine, linguine and farfalle (bowtie) pasta lots after detection by a FreshRealm-contracted laboratory of the pathogen in a sample of linguine.
Increased recalls across chains
The FDA’s latest update includes one new expanded recall and three new recalls for ready-to-eat pasta meals and salads that contain the recalled pasta ingredient. The recalls are for products that carry major retail banners. Kroger Family of Stores recalled two pasta salads, Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad, both shipped from Aug. 29 through Oct. 2 in 1,860 Kroger stores in 28 states: California, Texas, Ohio, and Washington. Giant Eagle recalled its Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad, which was shipped beginning September 25 to Giant Eagle and Market District stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and Indiana.
Albertsons Companies issued a recall of in-store prepared deli pasta salads nationwide after receiving the tainted pasta ingredient. Demers Food Group issued a voluntary recall of Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls, through March 2027 expiration dates, due to the availability of the contaminated pasta.
FSIS public health alert: Ready-to-eat pasta meals
The USDA FSIS consumer advisory lists several ready-to-eat foods which may remain in consumers’ refrigerators. They are Walmart’s Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce, 12-ounce packages, best-if-used-by dates Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, 2025, and associated with establishments EST. 50784 and EST. 47718. Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, 16-ounce containers with best-if-used-by dates ranging from September 20 to September 27, 2025, in establishment P-45288, is also impacted.
Consumers are not to consume any of these but rather discard them or return them to the store where bought for a full refund.
Health risks and vulnerable populations
Listeria monocytogenes is capable of causing severe infections in pregnant women and their newborns, adults 65 and above, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Some of the symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, and gastrointestinal upset. These may occur a few days to weeks after consuming contaminated food. Infection during pregnancy may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infection of the newborn.
Steps for consumers and retailers
Consumers need to read the labels of the recalled foods carefully for establishment numbers and best-by dates. They must discard any suspected products properly or return them at the store for a refund. Further precautions are to wash any containers, surfaces, and utensils that could have come in contact with the recalled foods and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Anyone who has symptoms of listeriosis or is worried about having been exposed should seek out a healthcare provider at once. Retailers are required to remove affected items immediately from store shelves and inform customers of the recalls.
Ongoing investigation
The FDA, FSIS, and CDC continue to collaborate with state and local regulators to track back the source of contamination and determine if other products or production lots need to be part of the recall. Nate’s Fine Foods reports that it is cooperating very closely with the FDA, CDC, and state health officials to carry out a full investigation of the source while keeping consumer safety paramount. Consumers will be notified as the investigation progresses regarding further recalls or public health alerts related to this outbreak. Vigilant product monitoring and following closely to recall notifications remain paramount to avoiding more sickness and fatalities.
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