6 Dead, 25 Hospitalized in Nationwide Listeria Outbreak Linked to Pre-Cooked Pasta Meals Sold at Major Retailers

A nationwide Listeria outbreak tied to pre-cooked pasta meals has now killed six people and hospitalized 25 others across 18 U.S. states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak, first identified in June, has been linked to ready-to-eat pasta dishes manufactured by Nate’s Fine Foods and distributed under various brand names at major grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Sprouts, and Giant Eagle.

Federal health officials continue to urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers immediately and discard or return recalled pasta products, as contaminated meals may still be in circulation.

As of October 30, 2025, the FDA confirmed:

• 27 total reported infections across 18 states
• 25 hospitalizations
• 6 deaths
• 1 pregnancy-associated case resulting in fetal loss

The FDA and CDC are conducting a joint investigation into the outbreak’s source, tracing it to pasta products produced and distributed by Nate’s Fine Foods, which supplies numerous prepared-meal brands and grocery store delis.

States affected include:
California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Recalled Products Linked to the Listeria Outbreak

The recall includes a wide range of pre-cooked pasta dishes sold under different labels nationwide:

Trader Joe’s

• Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz trays)

Walmart (Marketside Brand)

• Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz and 32.8 oz)
• Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12 oz)

Kroger

• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz)
• Deli Bowtie and Penne Pasta Salads (sold Aug. 29 – Oct. 2, 2025)

Albertsons, Safeway & Vons

• Store-made deli pasta salads sold between Sept. 8 – Oct. 4, 2025

Sprouts Farmers Market

• Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad (use-by dates 10/10/25 – 10/29/25)

Giant Eagle

• Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad (expiration 9/30/25 – 10/7/25)

Scott & Jon’s

• Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6 oz, use-by dates in March 2027)

The FDA emphasized that many of these products were sold in supermarket delis and refrigerated prepared-food sections, making it crucial for consumers to review receipts, labels, and use-by dates.

Understanding Listeria and Its Dangers

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that causes listeriosis, a potentially deadly infection. While healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms, the infection can be devastating for older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Fever and chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache and stiff neck
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Confusion or loss of balance
• Seizures in severe cases

In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause:

• Miscarriages or stillbirths
• Premature birth
• Severe infections in newborns

According to the CDC, Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. Each year, approximately 1,250 people become infected, and over 170 die from complications.

How Contamination Occurs

Listeria thrives in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods — a major reason it poses a higher risk in products like pre-cooked pasta, deli meats, and salads.

Contamination can occur at multiple points during food processing, including:

• Unsanitary production facilities
• Improper temperature control during transport or storage
• Cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods
• Failure to properly disinfect packaging and surfaces

The FDA’s early investigation found that multiple suppliers used contaminated pasta ingredients from Nate’s Fine Foods, suggesting the outbreak may have originated during manufacturing before distribution to grocery chains.

Legal Responsibility and Food Manufacturer Liability

Under U.S. product liability and food safety law, manufacturers and distributors have a strict legal duty to ensure the safety of their food products.

When consumers become ill or die due to contaminated or defective food, the responsible parties — including the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or restaurant — may be held liable for:

• Medical expenses and hospitalization
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Emotional distress and trauma

The FDA’s findings could support product liability lawsuits or class-action claims by victims and families affected by the outbreak.

In such cases, attorneys typically rely on:

• Food test results confirming contamination
• Medical records linking illness to the product
• Recall documentation and traceability data
• Expert testimony from epidemiologists and toxicologists

Because these cases often involve multi-state outbreaks and corporate defendants, victims benefit from working with law firms experienced in wrongful death and foodborne illness litigation.

What Consumers Should Do

If you believe you or a loved one ate one of the recalled pasta products, follow these steps immediately:

1. Check your refrigerator and freezer for any listed products and discard them safely.
2. Do not consume recalled items, even if they look or smell normal — Listeria can survive refrigeration and freezing.
3. Sanitize refrigerators and surfaces where contaminated food was stored.
4. Seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms of listeriosis, especially if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised.
5. Report any illness to your local health department to help track the outbreak.

If you have medical bills or lost wages related to the infection, consult a food poisoning lawyer to discuss your rights.

How Flanagan & Bodenheimer Helps Foodborne Illness Victims

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent victims of food contamination, product liability, and wrongful death cases throughout Florida and nationwide.

Our attorneys have extensive experience investigating FDA and CDC-regulated product recalls, working with epidemiologists and medical experts to hold negligent companies accountable.

When you hire our firm, you receive:

• A thorough investigation into supply chains and recall documentation.
• No upfront costs — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
• Bilingual legal support (English and Spanish).
• Compassionate, detail-oriented representation for you and your family.

We take on complex cases against corporate manufacturers and distributors to ensure victims receive justice and companies prioritize safety over profit.

Contact a Florida Food Contamination & Product Liability Attorney

If you or a loved one were hospitalized or lost someone due to the nationwide Listeria outbreak, the attorneys at Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm can help you pursue justice.

You pay no legal fees unless we win your case, and our firm covers all investigation and litigation costs.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we fight for families devastated by corporate negligence — because every consumer deserves safe food and accountability when that trust is broken.