Listeria Outbreak with 20 cases and 4 Deaths Linked to RTE Pasta

The FDA, USDA and CDC with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared meals. There have been 20 cases with 19 being hospitalized and 4 deaths.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 20
Hospitalizations: 19
Deaths: 4
Last Illness Onset: September 11, 2025
States with Cases: CA, FL, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, UT, VA
Product Distribution: Nationwide

The pasta supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, CA, does not sell affected products direct to retail. On September 25, 2025, the supplier of the affected pasta, recalled 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. FreshRealm recalled linguine and meatball product which was under the Marketside (Walmart) brand. Additional product recalled include Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3 oz – best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior; Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 32.8 oz – best-by date of June 27, 2025, or prior; Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5 oz – best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior; and 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.

The contaminated ingredient was found in response to the investigation, "FreshRealm Inc., began testing individual ingredients used to produce their 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."

Being a USDA regulated facility, the company is not subject to Preventive Controls, and with that, does not have to have a Supply Chain Preventive Control, which would be a must for the type of product (heat and serve which is ready-to-eat).   As this is the case, the processor would have recognized Listeria as hazard on the incoming RTE pasta (as well as other ingredients) and would have ensure that the supplier had an active Listeria Control Program.  

As for the pasta supplier, they do operate under Preventive Controls and would definitely need to have a Sanitation Preventive Control to ensure that recontamination does not occur after pasta preparation.   Pasta preparation require boiling pasta which would eliminate Listeria, however, it can be recontaminated in the post-process environment.  With a Sanitation Preventive Control, monitoring and verification steps would be present for ensuring the food contact surfaces and the overall post-process environment were free from Listeria.   This was not the case with this facility however.

Unfortunately, the continued push for RTE meals requires more attention by companies producing that product.  If this had been a product to be cooked, the likelihood of illnesses would have been reduced or eliminated.   This however, would not eliminate the needs for Listeria controls because one would still need to be concerned about undercooking.


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-prepared-pasta-meals-june-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Prepared Pasta Meals (June 2025)
Do not eat or serve certain meals containing pre-cooked pasta. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Products:

On September 25, 2025, the supplier of the affected pasta, recalled 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.

 
The pasta supplier 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.

Additional recalled products include:
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3 oz – best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 32.8 oz – best-by date of June 27, 2025, or prior
Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5 oz – best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior

Affected product according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) public health alert:
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.
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.

Additional product information is available in “Product Descriptions” section below.

Prepared meals may have been sold in the refrigerated sections of grocery stores and are intended for microwaving before eating. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased this product are advised to contact their retailer.

Current Update

September 29, 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 their 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, recalled certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, after a sample of linguine pasta collected and tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The pasta supplier 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.

FDA will continue to collaborate with federal and local partners and implicated firms and will provide updates as they become available.