Three more states are reporting people contracting listeria from eating pasta. Two more people died.
The number of patients is now 27, with sick people spread across 18 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six people died, and one infection in a pregnant woman resulted in fetal loss. The CDC first declared the outbreak on June 18.
“Epidemiologic, laboratory, and tracking data indicate that prepared meals containing pasta are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are causing illness in humans,” according to an Oct. 30 CDC update.
Patients with the outbreak range in age from 4 to 92 years. Twenty-five patients were hospitalized. The last patient to be identified fell ill on October 16.
According to the CDC, there are likely more cases than officially confirmed. This is because some people are not specifically tested for Listeria infection. Additionally, symptoms can take up to 70 days to develop, and it takes three to four weeks for patients to be identified and added to the national count.
State and local health officials are asking people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 13 respondents, 54 percent specifically recalled eating processed foods, and 57 percent specifically recalled eating chicken fettuccine alfredo.
“Sick people purchased these items from the refrigerated section at Walmart and Kroger. Two people also reported deli salads containing pasta at other stores. Public health investigators are continuing to collect information about what sick people ate before becoming sick to determine if additional foods are linked to the outbreak, according to the CDC.
There are nine recalls associated with the outbreak. Consumers are urged to check their homes, including freezers, for the recalled foods and throw them away.
Recalled products as of October 30:
- Pasta Salad with Smoked Mozzarella and Sprouts at Farmer's Market – Product Usage Dates 10/10/25 – 10/29/25 (Sprouts Farmers Market Review)
- Giant Eagle Smoked Pasta and Mozzarella Salad – expiration date 9/30/25 to 10/7/25 (Giant Eagle Review)
- Kroger stores have recalled Bowtie Deli Salads with Penne Pasta that were sold from August 29, 2025 to October 2, 2025 (Kroger review)
- Scott & Jon's Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls, 9.6 oz – Best used for the dates March 12, 2027, March 13, 2027, March 17, 2027, March 21, 2027 (Review by Demers Food Group)
- Trader Joe's Cajun Black Chicken Breast Fettuccine, Chicken Breast Fettuccine, 16 oz plastic bags with Best By Dates: 09/20/2025, 09/24/2025, 09/27/2025, 09/28/2025, 10/01/2025, 10/03/2025, 10/05/2025, 10/08/2025 or 10/10/2025 (USDA Health Alert FSIS)
- Albertsons stores have recalled prepared gourmet pasta salads that will be on sale from September 8, 2025 to October 4, 25 (Albertsons remember)
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce, 12 oz. – best used before September 22, 2025; September 24, 2025; September 25, 2025; September 29, 2025; September 30, 2025; and October 1, 2025 (USDA Health Alert FSIS)
- Market Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, 12.3 oz – Best before: June 26, 2025 or earlier; and 32.8 oz. – expiration date is June 27, 2025 or earlier (Review by FreshRealm)
- Home Chef Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine, 12.5 oz – Expires on or before June 19, 2025 (Review by FreshRealm)
About listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste bad, but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and develops symptoms of listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about their possible exposure to listeria.
Additionally, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor for symptoms over the coming weeks, as symptoms of listeriosis can take up to 70 days to develop after exposure to listeria.
Symptoms of Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle pain, severe headache and neck stiffness. Special laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, older adults, young children, and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are especially at risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, their infection can lead to premature birth, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
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