Federal health officials are warning consumers to discard certain ready-made pasta meals sold at national retailers including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Albertsons, and Kroger, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Ongoing Investigation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been investigating a multistate Listeria outbreak since June.
As of the latest update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 20 confirmed infections and four deaths across 15 states, including California, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
The investigation traced the contamination to products supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, which provides pre-cooked pasta dishes to several major grocery chains.
Recalled Products
The FDA identified the following products as affected:
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz)
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12 oz)
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz and 32.8 oz)
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz)
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6 oz)
Additionally, Albertsons deli items made with bowtie pasta are being voluntarily recalled.
How the Contamination Was Discovered
Testing by FreshRealm, the manufacturer of some of the chicken Alfredo meals, detected genetically related strains of Listeria monocytogenes in ingredients supplied by a third-party vendor.
After confirmation, the company notified both the USDA and FDA, triggering the nationwide recall.
While Trader Joe’s states that no in-store samples tested positive, the company removed products “out of an abundance of caution.”
Why Listeria Is Dangerous
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can survive in cold environments, including refrigerators.
It ranks as the third leading cause of foodborne illness–related deaths in the United States, after Salmonella and Toxoplasma gondii.
Each year, about 1,250 Americans are diagnosed with listeriosis. Nearly all require hospitalization, and approximately 20% of cases are fatal.
Common Symptoms (Mild Cases)
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
Severe or Life-Threatening Symptoms
- Headache or neck stiffness
- Confusion or loss of balance
- Convulsions
Those most at risk include pregnant women, newborns, older adults (65+), and people with weakened immune systems.
Listeriosis during pregnancy can be particularly dangerous — about one in four cases results in miscarriage or stillbirth.
How Contamination Happens
Listeria is a hardy bacterium found in soil, water, and animal products.
It can contaminate food at multiple points in production — from raw ingredients to processing facilities — and, unlike many other pathogens, it can grow even at refrigeration temperatures.
If equipment or surfaces are not thoroughly sanitized, Listeria can spread to ready-to-eat foods such as pre-cooked pasta, deli meats, or soft cheeses.
What Consumers Should Do
- Do not eat any of the recalled products.
- Throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces, refrigerators, or utensils that may have come into contact with the products.
- Check the FDA’s website for affected lot numbers and expiration dates.
If you recently consumed any of these meals and develop symptoms of listeriosis, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Early treatment with the right antibiotics can prevent serious complications.
Prevention Tips
To reduce your risk of foodborne illness:
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
- Cook foods to safe internal temperatures.
- Wash hands and kitchen surfaces often.
- Keep refrigerated foods below 40°F (4°C) and clean your refrigerator regularly.
Outlook
Officials believe most affected products have been removed from store shelves, but contaminated items may still be in consumers’ homes.
Because Listeria infections can take weeks to develop, health experts warn that additional cases may still appear.
“For vulnerable groups, this is a very serious disease,” said Dr. John Schieffelin, associate professor of pediatrics at Tulane University. “If you have these recalled products, it’s not worth the risk—throw them out.”
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