A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared pasta meals has led to widespread product recalls and a urgent public health investigation involving federal agencies and multiple food manufacturers. The outbreak, which began in June 2025, has resulted in numerous hospitalizations and fatalities. The investigation has traced the source to pre-cooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., an ingredient used in various ready-to-eat meals sold at major retailers across the United States.
Outbreak Overview: Illnesses and Ongoing Investigation
As of October 6, 2025, a total of 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 15 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Among 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported. There is also one reported illness in a pregnant person that resulted in a fetal loss. The last known illness onset was September 11, 2025.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local agencies, are investigating the outbreak. The investigation is ongoing, and further recalls may be announced as the traceback and product testing continue.
Epidemiological data points strongly to prepared pasta meals as the source. Of the 13 sick people interviewed by health officials, 7 (54%) reported eating precooked meals. Four of those individuals specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo before becoming ill.
List of Recalled Products
The recalls have been extensive and iterative, with new products being added to the list as the investigation identifies them. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for the following products.
Table: Recalled Products Linked to the Listeria Outbreak
| Product Name | Brand | Key Identifying Information | Retailers |
| Smoked Mozzarella Pasta | Giant Eagle | Expiration dates 9/30/25 through 10/7/25 | Giant Eagle and Market District locations |
| Basil Pesto Bowtie & Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad | Kroger and affiliated banners | Sold on AUG 29 2025 thru OCT 2 2025 | Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, Smith’s |
| Various Store-Made Deli Pasta Salads | Albertons and affiliated banners | Sell thru dates from SEP 8 2025 to OCT 4 25 | Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Amigos, Andronico’s, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Market Street, Randalls, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Vons |
| Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls | Scott & Jon’s | Best if used by dates of 3/12/2027, 3/13/2027, 3/17/2027, 3/21/2027 | Nationally to wholesale distributors and operators |
| Cajun Style Blackened | Trader Joe’s | Best if used by dates of 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, 9/27/2025, 9/28/2025, 10/01/2025, 10/03/2025, 10/05/2025, 10/08/2025, or 10/10/2025 | Trader Joe’s stores in AZ, CA, NV, NM, UT |
| Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marina Sauce | Marketside | Best if used by dates of SEP 22, 2025; SEP 24, 2025; SEP 25, 2025; SEP 29, 2025; SEP 30, 2025; and OCT 01, 2025 | Walmart locations nationwide |
| Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine | Marketside | Best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior (12.3-oz); June 27, 2025, or prior (32.8-oz) | Nationwide |
| Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo | Home Chef | Best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior | Nationwide |
The manufacturer of the affected pasta, Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., does not sell its products directly to consumers at retail. Instead, the pre-cooked pasta was an ingredient used by other companies to produce the finished meals listed above. This is why a single ingredient has led to a multi-brand, nationwide recall event.
Understanding Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of disease-causing bacteria that can be found in many environments, including soil, water, and animal feces. Unlike many other foodborne bacteria, Listeria can survive and even grow slowly under refrigeration, making it a particular concern for ready-to-eat foods that are stored for extended periods.
The incubation period for listeriosis can be surprisingly long. Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food, but they may begin as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after exposure. This lengthy and variable incubation period can make it challenging for individuals and health officials to identify the specific food source of the illness.
The illness caused by the bacteria, listeriosis, poses the greatest threat to specific at-risk groups. Pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to severe and invasive forms of the disease. For these populations, a Listeria infection can be life-threatening.
In pregnant women, the infection can be particularly insidious. While the pregnant person themselves may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, the consequences for the fetus can be devastating. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in the newborn. Sadly, approximately one in four pregnant women with a Listeria infection experiences pregnancy loss or neonatal death.
For older adults and immunocompromised individuals, the infection can spread beyond the gut to the bloodstream and the nervous system, causing a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis. Symptoms of this dangerous progression can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and fever. About one in six people in these high-risk groups with invasive listeriosis dies from the infection.
In healthy individuals who are not pregnant, a Listeria infection may cause only mild, short-term symptoms such as a high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, given the severity of the current outbreak, all consumers are advised to take the recall seriously.
Tracing the Source of the Outbreak
The public health investigation into this outbreak is a complex process of connecting evidence from multiple sources. The breakthrough came when whole genome sequencing (WGS), a highly precise DNA fingerprinting technique, matched the Listeria strain from sick people to the strain found in specific food products.
The investigation zeroed in on the pasta ingredient in late September 2025. FreshRealm Inc., a producer of prepared meals, began testing individual ingredients used in its recalled Marketside meals. The company’s ingredient testing of linguine pasta samples was confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes by its contracted lab. On September 27, 2025, the FDA was informed by FreshRealm that WGS performed by the lab confirmed the linguine sample was positive for the identical strain of Listeria that was detected in the company’s previously recalled chicken alfredo meals and, critically, the same strain causing the ongoing illnesses.
This genetic match prompted the supplier of the pasta, Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., to recall certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, including fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle (bowtie) on September 30, 2025. This recall of the core ingredient subsequently triggered a cascade of additional recalls from the companies that had used this pasta in their finished products, such as Kroger, Albertsons, and others, throughout the first week of October.
Consumer Guidance
In response to this outbreak, federal health agencies have issued clear recommendations for consumers.
Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products. Anyone who has purchased or received the recalled or affected meals should check their refrigerators and freezers immediately and discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Second, thorough cleaning is essential. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces. Consumers should clean their refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled foods. It is recommended to wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Cutting boards, countertops, and utensils that may have contacted the foods should also be washed and sanitized.
Third, be vigilant about symptoms. Anyone, especially those in high-risk groups, who develop symptoms of listeriosis after eating a recalled product should contact their healthcare provider immediately to report their symptoms and receive care. It is crucial to inform the healthcare provider about the potential exposure to Listeria. People who are pregnant and have eaten a recalled product should contact their provider even if they do not feel sick, due to the risk to the fetus.
Given the extended incubation period, individuals should remain vigilant for symptoms for up to two months after potentially consuming a contaminated product.
Grounds for Legal Action
Food manufacturers and distributors have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe for consumption. When this duty is breached and consumers are harmed, the responsible parties can be held liable through lawsuits based on negligence and product liability. In this outbreak, legal action would focus on the alleged failure of the firms to eliminate Listeria contamination from the pre-cooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. and used in various ready-to-eat meals.
Affected individuals can seek compensation for the following damages:
| Type of Damage | Examples |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital stays, surgeries, medications, ongoing treatments |
| Lost Income | Wages lost due to illness, recovery time, or caring for a sick family member |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the illness |
| Wrongful Death | Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other related expenses |
| Pregnancy Loss | Compensation for miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening newborn infection |
Navigating the Legal Fallout
For individuals affected by the outbreak, specific steps are crucial. First, seeking immediate medical attention and obtaining an official diagnosis is paramount. Second, preserving evidence, such as the product packaging or receipts, can be vital for linking the illness to the contaminated food.
The legal fallout from this outbreak is complex, involving multiple companies across the supply chain, from the ingredient supplier to the final retailers. As the FDA investigation continues and more information comes to light, the scope of the legal actions may expand, underscoring the importance of thorough investigation to hold all negligent parties accountable.
Consumers who have been affected, an attorney who specializes in foodborne illness lawsuits can provide personalized guidance.
Analysis & Next Steps
This outbreak highlights a modern food safety challenge: a contaminated single ingredient, distributed through a complex supply network, can lead to a multi-state outbreak affecting numerous brands and products. The rapid identification of the source, pre-cooked pasta from a single supplier, through advanced genetic sequencing technology is a key development. Furthermore, the outbreak is ongoing, with new recalls, such as those from Kroger and Giant Eagle, being announced as recently as early October 2025, indicating a dynamic and evolving situation.
Listeriosis is one of the most serious foodborne illnesses, with high hospitalization and mortality rates for vulnerable segments of the population. This outbreak has already led to significant harm, including hospitalizations, deaths, and a fetal loss. It underscores the critical importance of robust food safety controls for ready-to-eat products, which carry a higher risk for Listeria contamination because they are not cooked again by the consumer, a step that would kill the bacteria. The incident also demonstrates the vulnerability of the food supply chain, where a single point of contamination can have widespread consequences.
While all consumers are advised to check for recalled products, the primary risk is for groups considered high-risk for invasive listeriosis: pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems (such as those with cancer, diabetes, or on immunosuppressive therapies). Geographically, the recalled products have been distributed and sold nationwide, putting a broad swath of the American public at potential risk. To protect themselves, consumers should immediately:
- Check for Recalled Products: Immediately check your refrigerator and freezer against the detailed recall lists provided by the FDA and CDC. Do not consume any matching products.
- When in Doubt, Throw It Out: If you have a prepared pasta meal or salad from one of the implicated retailers but are unsure if it is part of the recall, the safest course of action is to discard it.
- Clean Thoroughly: Sanitize all surfaces, containers, and your refrigerator to eliminate any potential for cross-contamination.
- Seek Medical Attention if Symptomatic: If you are in a high-risk group and have eaten a recalled product, or have symptoms of listeriosis, even if you are unsure about what you ate, contact your healthcare provider promptly. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can be life-saving.
- Stay Informed: Monitor the FDA and CDC outbreak pages for updates, as further recalls are possible as the investigation continues.
A widespread and ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, linked to prepared pasta meals, has led to a complex, multi-state public health response and expanding product recalls. The investigation, involving the FDA, CDC, and state partners, has identified the source as pre-cooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., an ingredient used by various companies to produce ready-to-eat meals. This single-ingredient contamination has triggered recalls from multiple major national brands and retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Albertsons, and Walmart, affecting products like chicken fettuccine alfredo, pasta salads, and linguine meals. The outbreak has resulted in severe consequences, including numerous hospitalizations, four reported deaths, and one fetal loss. Listeria poses the greatest threat to high-risk groups such as pregnant individuals, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals, as the infection can lead to invasive, life-threatening illness.
“I urge consumers to immediately check their refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and to discard them,” said attorney Ron Simon of nationwide Listeria law firm Ron Simon & Associates.
Thorough cleaning of all surfaces and containers that may have contacted these foods is critical to prevent cross-contamination. Anyone in a high-risk group who has consumed a recalled product and develops symptoms should contact their healthcare provider promptly.
As the investigation remains active, further recalls are possible, and the public should monitor official FDA and CDC pages for updates.
