Multistate Listeria Outbreak Spurs FSIS Alert on Prepared Pasta Meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat meals made with an FDA-regulated pre-cooked pasta ingredient that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said whole-genome sequencing linked a pasta sample used in these meals to the current listeriosis outbreak associated with prepared pasta meals. Additional updates will be posted as the investigation continues.
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.
Products under the alert
- Albertsons recalled store-made deli pasta salads
- 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.
Stores Affected:
- Albertsons: Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Pavilions, Market Street, and Vons
- Kroger: Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Meals
- Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo
- Walmart: Marketside Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Meals; Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce
During the outbreak probe, a producer tested the FDA-regulated, pre-cooked linguine used in one product and confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes. Further testing showed the strain is genetically related to the outbreak. FSIS previously announced a recall in June tied to this listeriosis event and continues to coordinate with the FDA, CDC, and state partners.
Listeriosis can be serious, particularly for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and their newborns. Illness may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions; gastrointestinal symptoms may precede invasive infection. Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe neonatal illness. Antibiotics are the standard treatment. Anyone at higher risk who develops flu-like symptoms within two months of eating a potentially contaminated product should seek medical care and mention the exposure.
FSIS is concerned that some items may still be in home refrigerators or freezers. Do not eat these products. Discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
- Questions about the alert: Nate’s Fine Foods, 916-677-7303, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PT.
- General food-safety questions: USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or MPHotline@usda.gov.
- To report a problem with meat, poultry or egg products: Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/ (available 24/7).
For outbreak details and ongoing updates, see the CDC’s alert on prepared meals and the FDA’s advisory on the Listeria monocytogenes investigation into prepared pasta meals. FSIS will update this notice if additional FSIS-regulated products are identified.
