Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Prepared Pasta Meals (June 2025)
Do not eat or serve certain pasta salads or meals containing pre-cooked pasta. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Products:
On September 30, 2025, the supplier of the affected pasta, Nate's Fine Foods, Inc., expanded their recall of certain lots of pre-cooked pasta including fettucine, linguine, and farfalle (bowtie), after a sample of linguine pasta collected and tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Nate's Fine Foods, Inc., does not sell affected products direct to retail. The firm is working with the FDA and their customers to determine if additional recalls are needed. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Recalled products include:
- Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad - product use by dates 10/10/25 - 10/29/25 (Sprouts Farmers Market recall)
- Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad – expiration dates 9/30/25 through 10/7/25 (Giant Eagle recall)
- Kroger stores recalled deli bowtie and penne pasta salads – sold on AUG 29 2025 thru OCT 2 2025 (Kroger recall)
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6-oz – best if used by dates of 3/12/2027, 3/13/2027, 3/17/2027, 3/21/2027 (Demers Food Group Recall)
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo 16-oz plastic tray packages with “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 (USDA FSIS public health alert)
- Albertsons stores recalled store-made deli pasta salads – sell thru dates from SEP 8 2025 to OCT 4 25 (Albertsons recall)
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz. – 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 (USDA FSIS public health alert)
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3-oz – best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior; and 32.8-oz – best-by date of June 27, 2025, or prior (FreshRealm recall)
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5-oz – best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior (FreshRealm recall)
An overview of recalls related to this outbreak is available on the FDA’s Major Product Recalls page. Additional recalls will be added to this page if and when they are available.
Prepared meals made with the affected pasta may have been sold in the refrigerated and frozen sections of grocery stores and are intended for microwaving and/or cooking before eating. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased this product are advised to contact their retailer.
Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection):
Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Stores Affected
The recalled products were sold at retailers nationwide. Refer to the recall notices for additional information.
Status
Ongoing
Recommendations
- Consumers who purchased or received recalled or affected meals should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat or serve these products.
- If you or your family member have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.
Recommendations for At-Risk Groups:
- Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant women and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
- Pregnant women typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Current Update
October 30, 2025
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared meals.
Since the last CDC case count update on September 25, 2025, a total of 7 new illnesses from 3 states have been reported, with 2 additional deaths reported. A total of 27 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 18 states. Of the 26 people with information available, 25 have been hospitalized and 6 deaths have been reported. One pregnancy-associated illness resulted in a fetal loss.
CDC and states are working to get information on whether sick people ate recalled food or if additional foods may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Consumers should double check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled foods.
FDA will continue to collaborate with federal and local partners and implicated firms and will provide updates as they become available.
Case Count Map Provided by CDC
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 27
Hospitalizations: 25
Deaths: 6
Last Illness Onset: October 16, 2025
States with Cases: CA, FL, HI, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, WA
Product Distribution: Nationwide
Product Images
Previous Update
October 10, 2025
On October 9, 2025, Sprouts Farmers Market announced a voluntary recall of select lots of smoked mozzarella pasta salad sold from the deli service counter or Grab & Go section at Sprouts stores in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, KS, LA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WY. Product was distributed starting on 8/31/25 through 10/7/25.
As of September 25, 2025, a total of 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 15 states. Of the 13 people interviewed, 7 (54%) reported eating precooked meals, and 4 specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized and 4 deaths have been reported. There is one illness in a pregnant mother that resulted in a fetal loss.
October 6, 2025
On October 3, 2025, Giant Eagle announced a voluntary recall of “Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad” sold in the prepared foods departments of its Giant Eagle and Market District locations across western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Indiana.
October 3, 2025
On October 2, 2025, Kroger announced a voluntary recall of certain bowtie and penne pasta salads sold at the deli service counter and in grab-n-go packages from the deli department from Kroger stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Greater Cincinnati (including Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio plus South Eastern Indiana); Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle; Michigan; Indiana (except SE Indiana, -Evansville-); Illinois; Eastern Missouri; Greater Louisville area (including Indiana) and Lexington, Kentucky; Hopkinsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; Texas and Louisiana; Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, King Soopers. City Market, Fry's, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Smith's stores.
October 2, 2025
On October 1, 2025, Demers Food Group announced a voluntary recall of select Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls. The product was distributed nationally to wholesale distributors and operators between 9/15/2025 and 9/25/2025.
On September 29, 2025, Albertsons announced a voluntary recall of select store-made deli items containing bowtie pasta. The select store-made deli items were available for purchase at the following stores: Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Amigos, Andronico's Community Markets, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Pak 'N Save, Pavilions, Market Street, Randalls, Safeway, Tom Thumb, United and Vons in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Product names and additional information can be found in the recall notice. Albertsons expanded their recall on October 1, 2025, to include penne pasta salads sold at Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, and Safeway stores in Alaska.
September 30, 2025
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared meals.
In response to this investigation, FreshRealm Inc., began testing individual ingredients used to produce the Marketside-brand linguine with beef meatballs & marinara sauce meal, and the company’s ingredient testing of linguine pasta samples were confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes by FreshRealm’s contracted lab. On September 27, 2025, FDA was informed by FreshRealm that whole genome sequencing performed by the company’s contracted lab confirmed the linguine sample is positive for the same strain of Listeria that was detected in the company’s chicken alfredo meals, which were recalled on June 17, 2025. It is also the same strain of Listeria that is linked to causing illnesses in this outbreak.
On September 26, 2025, USDA FSIS updated their public health alert with an additional product that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:
- 16-oz. plastic tray packages labeled “TRADER JOE’S CAJUN STYLE BLACKENED CHICKEN BREAST FETTUCINE ALFREDO” with “best if used by” dates 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, or 9/27/2025.
On September 25, 2025, the supplier of the affected pasta, Nate's Fine Foods, Inc., recalled certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, after a sample of linguine pasta collected and tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Nate's Fine Foods, Inc. does not sell affected products direct to retail. The firm is working with the FDA and their customers to determine if additional recalls are needed. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
As of September 25, 2025, a total of 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 15 states. Of the 13 people interviewed, 7 (54%) reported eating precooked meals, and 4 specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized and 4 deaths have been reported. There is one illness in a pregnant mother that resulted in a fetal loss.
September 26, 2025
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to product recalled by FreshRealm, Inc.
On September 25, USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat meals that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product subject to the public health alert:
- 12-oz. clear plastic tray packages labeled “MARKETSIDE LINGUINE WITH BEEF MEATBALLS & MARINARA SAUCE” with “best if used by” dates SEP 22, 2025; SEP 24, 2025; SEP 25, 2025; SEP 29, 2025; SEP 30, 2025; and OCT 01, 2025.
In response to this investigation, FreshRealm began testing individual ingredients used to produce the meatball product, and the company’s testing of the linguine pasta samples were confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Further testing, by the company, is being conducted to determine if this pasta ingredient is genetically related to the outbreak strain.
As of September 25, 2025, a total of 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 15 states. Of the 13 people interviewed, 7 (54%) reported eating precooked meals, and 4 specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized and 4 deaths have been reported. There is one illness in a pregnant mother that resulted in a fetal loss.
FDA will continue to collaborate with federal and local partners and implicated firms and will provide updates as they become available.
June 18, 2025
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. Recalled product assembled at FreshRealm, Inc.’s San Clemente, California; Montezuma, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana, manufacturing locations may be adulterated with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
As of June 18, 2025, a total of 17 cases have been reported from 13 states. Of the 11 people interviewed, 7 reported eating precooked meals, and 4 (57%) specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 17 people with information, 16 (94%) were hospitalized and there are 3 deaths attributed to listeriosis. There is one pregnancy associated illness in a mother that resulted in a fetal loss.
FDA has conducted a thorough investigation in response to this outbreak, including traceback of FDA-regulated ingredients within the assembled product. FDA used specific meal information reported by ill people, and collected by state officials and CDC, and firm records to trace FDA-regulated ingredients through the supply chain to the establishments where those were produced. FSIS identified the outbreak strain in a routine sample of FreshRealm’s chicken fettuccine alfredo collected on March 19, 2025. This lot of product was not distributed into the food supply. FSIS also used purchase documentation to trace chicken fettuccine alfredo products purchased by two ill people to FreshRealm establishments. An additional two ill people verbally described chicken fettuccine alfredo products they purchased. FSIS identified products produced by FreshRealm that matched the descriptions during follow-up at the retail stores where they shopped.
FDA also initiated multiple inspections, including sample collection, at the manufacturers of some ingredients used to make the chicken fettuccine alfredo product.
Testing of the FDA-regulated ingredients collected to date is complete and the outbreak strain of Listeria was not found. FDA and FSIS have not yet determined a source of contamination for this product; however, both agencies are working closely with each other and CDC to continue to collect information to determine what additional steps are needed to protect public health.
On June 17, 2025, in response to this investigation, FreshRealm, Inc., recalled their pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo products sold at Kroger and Walmart under the following brand names and packaging details:
- 32.8-oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.
- 12.3 oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/26/25 or prior.
- 12.5 oz. tray packages containing “HOME CHEF Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with pasta, grilled white meat chicken, and Parmesan cheese” with best-by date 06/19/25 or prior.
FDA will continue to collaborate with federal and local partners and will provide updates as they become available.
Who to Contact
Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction),
visit Industry and Consumer Assistance.
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