Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals Spreads Across States

Recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveal a growing multistate outbreak of Listeria linked to prepared pasta meals. The situation has escalated, with seven new illnesses and two additional fatalities reported.

Overview of the Outbreak

A total of 27 individuals across 18 states have contracted the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The statistics are concerning:

• 25 hospitalizations reported
• 6 fatalities confirmed
• One pregnancy-associated infection resulted in fetal loss

States Affected

Deaths attributed to this outbreak have occurred in the following states:

• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Oregon
• Texas
• Utah

The illness-onset dates extend from August 6, 2024, to October 16, 2025. Patient ages range from 4 to 92, with a median age of 74. Notably, two-thirds of the affected individuals are women.

Source of Infections

The outbreak has been traced back to prepared meals containing pre-cooked pasta manufactured by Nate’s Fine Foods. The company does not directly sell its products to consumers. On September 30, they expanded a recall of certain pasta lots after a sample of linguini from a frozen meal made by FreshRealm tested positive for the Listeria strain.

Investigation indicated that the strain matched one found earlier in pasta from a FreshRealm chicken alfredo meal. Among those interviewed by health officials, many reported consuming pre-cooked meals from major retailers:

• 7 individuals had meals from Walmart and Kroger
• 4 specifically mentioned chicken fettucine alfredo
• 2 reported consumption of deli salads from other stores

Recalled Products

Several products have been recalled as a precautionary measure. These include:

• Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
• Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo

The FDA emphasizes the importance of consumers checking their refrigerators and freezers for these recalled items. They are collaborating with Nate’s Fine Foods and retailers to evaluate the necessity of additional recalls.

At-Risk Populations

Listeriosis poses a significant risk to specific population groups, including:

• Older adults
• Young children
• People with compromised immune systems
• Pregnant women

For pregnant women, even mild cases of Listeriosis can lead to severe outcomes, including miscarriage or stillbirth. The CDC and FDA urge vigilance and thorough food safety practices during this outbreak.