Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta prompts recalls

Federal health officials issued public health alerts in late September after an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes tied to ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at major U.S. retailers sickened at least 20 people across 15 states, hospitalizing 19 and causing four deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service added two frozen pasta meals to its Sept. 25 alert after testing during an ongoing probe found Listeria in precooked pasta used in the products.

The FSIS alert names Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce, sold at Walmart in 12-ounce clear trays with best-if-used-by dates of Sept. 22, 24, 25, 29, 30 and Oct. 1, 2025, and Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, sold in 16-ounce trays with best-if-used-by dates of Sept. 20, 24 and 27, 2025. Officials said the meals are no longer available for sale at many stores but may remain in consumer refrigerators or freezers.

Investigators have linked the outbreak to products manufactured by FreshRealm, which detected Listeria in linguine used in one of the meatball meals. FreshRealm said testing pointed to an...