Listeria Outbreak Update: 27 Illnesses and 6 Deaths Linked to Packaged Meals

Updated, November 4, 2025: The CDC has provided new information around a Listeria outbreak associated with ready meals. The latest numbers show there has been a total of 6 deaths, 27 cases, and 25 hospitalizations. It now includes 18 states. These are all increases from an update provided a month ago. This information is current as of October 30. The federal agency says consumers should double check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled food and do not eat them, as this is an open, ongoing outbreak.¹

Here are foods containing recalled pasta from Nate's Fine Foods Inc.

Sprouts Farmers Market smoked mozzarella pasta salad

• Use by dates October 10, 2025, through October 29, 2025

Scott & Jon's shrimp scampi with linguini bowls

• Use by dates in March 2027, 9.6 oz packages¹

Additional foods were recalled which are past their best by dates. See the list below in the original article for those recalled foods.


Original article, October 1, 2025: CDC provided more information on the ongoing Listeria outbreak including that there has been 1 more death and 3 people sickened since the last update back on June 18.²

Since September 25, the federal agency reported there has been a total of 20 people infected with Listeria across 15 states. Samples were collected on dates ranging from August 1, 2024, to September 11, 2025. Of 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized and 4 deaths have been reported overall. One each from Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Utah. One pregnancy-associated illness resulted in a fetal loss.²

Several of the infections have been linked to alfredo-based meals manufactured by FreshRealm, a food production company with facilities in California, Georgia, and Indiana.³

According to CDC, FreshRealm has tested the ingredients used in the meals. And the pasta used in the meals tested positive for Listeria. Nate’s Fine Foods is the supplier of the pasta ingredient. This pasta tested positive for Listeria and whole genome sequencing is pending to see if it is the same strain that is making people sick. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to the outbreak.²

A voluntary recall has been issued for the following products made prior to June 17:

• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine (32.8 oz; Best by June 27 or earlier)
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli (12.3 oz; Best by June 26 or earlier)
• Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz; Best by June 19 or earlier)³

Additionally, there are other meals subject to public health alerts or recalls. Those affected foods include the following:

• Trader Joe's Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettucine alfredo
• Albertsons pasta salads
• Marketside beef meatball marinara linguine meals; These products should no longer be available for sale but may still be consumers' refrigerators or freezers
  
  

The Trader Joe’s meals included in the alert are produced by California Ranch Food Company. The recalled meals from Albertsons are produced by Fresh Creative Foods.

Learn more: 3 Deaths and 17 Illnesses Tied to Listeria Outbreak From Recalled Chicken Alfredo Meals

It is important to note, the agency says it is likely there are more people sickened with Listeria, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. CDC says some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.²

Listeria infection can lead to severe disease, particularly among pregnant individuals, neonates, older adults, and immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations include febrile gastroenteritis, meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis. In pregnancy, listeriosis may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or neonatal infection. Approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the US, with an estimated 260 fatalities.⁴

References
1.Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals. CDC. October 30, 2025. Accessed November 4, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-06-25/index.html
2. Investigation Update: Prepared Meals Outbreak, September 2025. CDC. September 30, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-06-25/investigation.html
3. Abene S. 3 Deaths and 17 Illnesses Tied to Listeria Outbreak From Recalled Chicken Alfredo Meals. Contagion. June 20, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025.
https://www.contagionlive.com/view/3-deaths-and-17-illnesses-tied-to-listeria-outbreak-from-recalled-chicken-alfredo-meals
4. CDC. About Listeria Infection. Updated August 24, 2024. Accessed October 1, 2025.https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/about/index.html