More illnesses, deaths reported in listeria outbreak tied to recalled pasta salads, meals sold nationwide

Health officials have confirmed two more deaths linked to a listeria outbreak associated with recalled ready-to-eat pasta salads and prepared meals sold at major grocery stores across the U.S., including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Walmart. The outbreak has now resulted in 27 reported illnesses spanning 18 states, with 25 people hospitalized, six fatalities, and one fetal loss. Federal agencies including the FDA, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and CDC are actively investigating the situation. The source of contamination has been traced back to precooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods Inc., which has stated it is cooperating fully with the authorities in their probe. The pasta affected by the contamination has been used in a variety of deli salads and prepared meals sold under different brand names. Several products have been recalled in response to the outbreak, including specific packages of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad, Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad, and Kroger deli bowtie and penne pasta salads sold between late August and early October. Other recalled items include Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini, Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo, Albertsons’ store-made pasta salads, and various Marketside and Home Chef products with best-by or use-by dates ranging from June 19, 2025, to October 10, 2025. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for these recalled products and to avoid consuming them. If unsure whether a product is among those recalled, customers should contact their retailer for confirmation. Listeria monocytogenes infection can lead to listeriosis, a serious illness with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Sometimes these symptoms are preceded by gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. The onset of symptoms can vary, typically appearing within two weeks after eating contaminated food but sometimes as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later. Certain groups face higher risks from listeriosis, especially pregnant women, newborns, older adults aged 65 and up, and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women may experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, but the infection can also cause severe outcomes like stillbirth, premature birth, or dangerous infections in newborns. Health officials advise anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of listeriosis to seek medical care promptly. The ongoing investigation and recalls are efforts to prevent further illnesses and fatalities linked to this outbreak. Nate’s Fine Foods has expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing their commitment to consumer safety and transparency throughout the process. They assure the public they are taking all necessary steps to resolve the issue and protect those who enjoy their products. Meanwhile, regulatory bodies are working closely with retailers and suppliers to ensure all contaminated products are removed from shelves and customers are informed about the risks associated with these items.