Deadly Listeria Outbreak Tied to Pasta Products Sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s

Check your fridge for pre-cooked pasta meals, as federal health officials have issued a health warning of a listeria outbreak linked to recalled pasta meals sold in major grocery chains nationwide. 

Here’s what you need to know, including which stores are affected and which products are part of the pasta meals recall.

What Is the Current Status of the Outbreak?

A deadly outbreak of Listeria linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals has now spread to 15 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced September 30. At least 20 people have been sickened, 19 were hospitalized, and four have died. One pregnancy-associated case resulted in a fetal loss. The contamination was traced to precooked pasta, which was used in meals sold under several brand names and distributed in major grocery chains.

When Did the Pasta Recalls Begin?

On September 25, Nate’s Fine Foods — the supplier of pasta used in the meals — recalled large quantities of fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle after FreshRealm testing found a linguine sample to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  This recall ties back to the initial warnings in June, when FreshRealm recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger due to contamination with Listeria. 

In Which States Have Cases Been Reported?

• California: 2 cases
• Florida: 1 case
• Illinois: 1 case (death)
• Indiana: 1 case
• Louisiana: 2 cases
• Michigan: 2 cases (death)
• Minnesota: 1 case
• Missouri: 1 case
• Nevada: 1 case
• North Carolina: 1 case
• Ohio: 1 case
• South Carolina: 1 case
• Texas: 3 cases (death)
• Utah: 1 case (death)
• Virginia: 1 case

Which Retailers Are Involved?

The recalls affect major grocery chains, including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Albertsons, as well as stores such as Safeway, Vons, and Randalls. Each has since recalled the affected meals.  

Here’s a breakdown of which recalled products were sold in each location.

Trader Joe’s

• Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz.) — best-by dates Sept. 20, Sept. 24, Sept. 27, 2025

Walmart

• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce — 12-ounce clear plastic trays, marked with best-by dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 29, Sept. 30, and Oct. 1, 2025. Packages list establishment numbers EST. 50784 or EST. 47718 inside the USDA inspection seal.
  
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine — sold in 12.3-, 12.5-, and 32.8-ounce tray sizes, with best-by dates of June 19, June 26, and June 27, 2025, or earlier. Packages carry establishment numbers EST. P-50784, EST. P-47770, or EST. P-47718 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Albertsons

• Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 27133000000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 13 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 29492100000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 13 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
• Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 27133000000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 8 through Sept. 26, 2025. Sold at Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 29492100000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 8 through Sept. 26, 2025. Sold at Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
• Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 27133000000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 20 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 29492100000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 20 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 21649200000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 11 through Sept. 29, 2025. Sold at Safeway, Andronico’s Community Markets, Vons, and Pak ’N Save in California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
• Grilled Chicken & Basil Pasta Extra Large — Bulk packages, UPC 21303500000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 18 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, and Safeway in Alaska.
• Ready Meals Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 29130800000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 18 through Sept. 29, 2025. Distributed at Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, and Safeway in Alaska.
• Ready Meals Spinach Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 21142600000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 16 through Sept. 26, 2025. Sold at United, Amigos, Market Street, and Albertsons Market in New Mexico and Texas.
• Ready Meals Basil Bowtie Pasta Salad — Bulk packages, UPC 21191300000, with sell-thru dates from Sept. 16 through Sept. 29, 2025. Sold at United, Amigos, Market Street, and Albertsons Market in New Mexico and Texas.

What Should You Do Now?

The CDC advises checking refrigerators and freezers for recalled pasta meals, as well as cleaning and sanitizing any containers, shelves, or utensils that the food touched, because Listeria can survive cold storage. In case you ate these products and notice flu-like symptoms, contact a health care provider promptly, especially if you’re in a higher-risk category.

What Is Listeria and What Are the Symptoms?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but can begin as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.

Milder cases may bring fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. More severe infections can cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnancy, an infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening complications for newborns.

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