Multistate listeria outbreak tied to prepared pasta, recalls expanded

Federal health officials say a multistate outbreak of listeria tied to prepared pasta meals has sickened 27 people, hospitalized 25 and killed six across 18 states, prompting expanded recalls and an ongoing federal probe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said in late October that illnesses first reported in June have been linked to precooked pasta used in ready to eat meals sold at major retailers including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Sprouts and Albertsons.

Investigators traced the contaminated pasta to Nates Fine Foods, a Roseville, California, supplier, and to meals manufactured by FreshRealm, which reported a positive Listeria monocytogenes test on a linguine sample in September. The findings prompted recalls that have grown to include multiple refrigerated and frozen pasta dishes and deli pasta salads, such as Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, Walmart’s Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and various smoked mozzarella and pesto pasta salads sold at Sprouts, Kroger and Albertsons. Federal agencies warned that some recalled items may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.