ATLANTA, November 4, 2025: At least seven people have died and 27 others have fallen ill in a multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to contaminated ready-to-eat pasta meals sold through major grocery chains across the United States. The outbreak, spanning 18 states, has prompted an expanded recall and a coordinated federal investigation into food safety practices across the supply chain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that illnesses are connected to pasta-based meals, including fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle varieties, distributed under several store-brand and private-label products. Reported illnesses date from August 2024 to mid-October 2025, and all affected individuals required hospitalization.
The deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. One pregnancy-associated case resulted in fetal loss. Health officials traced the contamination to Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Roseville, California, a company that supplies pre-cooked pasta used in meal kits and deli items nationwide. Routine sampling conducted earlier this year detected Listeria monocytogenes in pasta components used in ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm, a Fresh Meal Solutions company. Genetic sequencing later matched the bacterial strain to samples from the patients. In late September, Nate’s Fine Foods issued a recall of approximately 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta, including linguine, penne, and fettuccine, that were distributed to several national brands.
FDA and USDA coordinate national food safety response
Products sold under Trader Joe’s, Marketside (a Walmart brand), Home Chef, and Albertsons were among those recalled. Retailers have since removed affected items, including chicken fettuccine alfredo and meatball linguine marinara, from their shelves. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), and CDC are jointly leading the investigation. Officials have cautioned that the number of infections could rise as additional cases are confirmed and more products are tested. Listeriosis infections can be severe and are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, elderly adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Federal agencies tracing distribution of affected pasta
The CDC has urged consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled meals and to discard or return any affected products immediately. Food surfaces, utensils, and containers that came into contact with these meals should be thoroughly cleaned, as Listeria can survive refrigeration temperatures and spread to other foods. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress, progressing in some cases to headaches, confusion, stiff neck, or convulsions. The incubation period for the illness can range from one day to up to ten weeks following consumption of contaminated food.
Health officials reported that among 13 patients interviewed, seven had eaten pre-cooked pasta dishes, and four specifically consumed chicken fettuccine alfredo before becoming ill. The investigation continues to trace additional product batches that may have been distributed through meal kit providers and supermarket delis. Regulatory agencies have reiterated the importance of strict sanitation and temperature control during food preparation and storage. The CDC stated that while the immediate recall covers all identified products, further action may follow pending test results from additional suppliers and distribution centers. – By Content Syndication Services.