Federal food safety officials have issued a warning for consumers to dispose of or return certain ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s due to potential listeria contamination. The affected products are linked to a deadly outbreak that has killed four people and sickened at least 20 others across 15 states.
What Happened
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for two ready-to-eat pasta meals: Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12-ounce trays) sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo (16-ounce trays). The contamination is linked to a listeria outbreak that has spread to multiple states.
Preliminary testing by the FDA confirmed that the listeria strain in the recalled linguine meals matches the strain found in previously recalled chicken alfredo meals from June, which were also associated with the outbreak. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the source of the contamination.
Impact of the Outbreak
The CDC reports that the outbreak has resulted in four deaths and at least 20 illnesses. Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the infection, can cause severe illness, particularly in pregnant women, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
Affected Products
The Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce meals have “best if used by” dates between September 22 and October 1, 2025, and were distributed nationwide at Walmart. They are labeled with establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA inspection mark.
Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo meals carry “best by” dates of September 20, 24, or 27 and are marked with “P-45288” inside the USDA inspection mark.
Additionally, Albertsons and Safeway have voluntarily recalled deli-made items supplied by the same company, including “Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad,” “Grilled Chicken and Basil Pasta Extra Large,” and ready meals like “Spinach Bowtie Pasta Salad” and “Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad.”
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who have purchased these affected meals should not consume them. They are advised to either dispose of or return the products to the store for a refund. The meals have already been pulled from store shelves, but consumers may still have them in their homes.
Risks of Listeria
Listeria infections can be particularly dangerous for those in high-risk groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. If anyone in these groups develops flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform their healthcare provider about potential listeria exposure.
Contact Information
For more information, customers can contact Nate’s Fine Foods at 916-677-7303 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday.
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This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
