By Harshit | October 1, 2025 | Washington, D.C. | 1:30 AM EDT
Federal health officials have broadened their investigation into a nationwide listeria outbreak that has already claimed four lives and left at least 20 people ill across 15 states. What began as a targeted probe into chicken pasta meals sold at Walmart and Kroger has now widened to include products sold at Trader Joe’s, raising alarm among consumers and regulators alike.
From Walmart and Kroger to Trader Joe’s
The outbreak was first tied to Marketside and Home Chef brand chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals distributed through Walmart and Kroger stores. Those products were recalled in June, after genetic testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked them to listeria contamination.
But new genomic testing by producers has traced the outbreak strain to pasta made by Nate’s Fine Foods, a California-based company. The CDC confirmed these findings in a status report released on September 25. This new evidence triggered an expansion of the federal recall, implicating not only Walmart and Kroger but also products sold at Albertsons-owned stores and Trader Joe’s.
New Recall Alerts Issued
The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued updated warnings this week, adding two new products to the recall list:
Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12-ounce trays) sold at Walmart. These carry “Best By” dates of Sept. 22, 24, 25, 29, or 30 and Oct. 1, 2025, with establishment numbers “EST.50784” or “EST.47718.”
Trader Joe’s Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16-ounce trays) with “Best By” dates of Sept. 20, 24, or 27, 2025. These trays carry establishment number “P-45288.”
The FSIS report specifically identifies California Ranch Food Company, a supplier for Trader Joe’s, as being involved in the contaminated batch. Albertsons also announced recalls of certain deli-made items that used Nate’s recalled bow-tie pasta.
Corporate Responses and Investigation Efforts
A Walmart spokesperson said the company has removed the affected meals from store shelves and is fully cooperating with supplier investigations. FreshRealm, another producer tied to the outbreak, confirmed that it detected the listeria strain in its linguine products during routine testing.
In a statement, FreshRealm said:
“We have been relentless in our approach to get to the bottom of this and now we have an answer. The Listeria outbreak strain was traced back to an ingredient supplied by a third party.”
FreshRealm added that results have been shared with federal agencies including the USDA, FDA, and CDC. The company emphasized that customers should immediately discard or return the products.
Toll Rises: Four Dead, Dozens Sick
The scope of the outbreak has grown steadily since its initial discovery. In June, the CDC reported 17 confirmed cases and three deaths. That number has now risen to 20 confirmed infections and four fatalities. All but one of the patients have required hospitalization, underscoring the severity of the contamination.
Listeriosis, caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of consuming tainted food and can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, headaches, and confusion. In severe cases, the infection can lead to miscarriage, sepsis, or death.
Public Health Concerns and Guidance
Health experts warn that the outbreak underscores the challenges of monitoring complex food supply chains. “Every link in the production and distribution process must be tightly monitored,” said a CDC spokesperson. “Even a single contaminated ingredient can create ripple effects across multiple products and brands.”
The CDC and FSIS advise consumers who purchased any of the recalled meals not to eat them. Instead, the products should be returned to the store or thrown away. Officials also encourage consumers to sanitize refrigerators, freezers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated food.
A Growing Pattern of Foodborne Illness
The listeria outbreak comes amid a year of heightened food safety concerns in the United States. Several other recalls involving leafy greens, dairy products, and frozen foods have been issued in 2025. Experts say the increase in reported cases may partly reflect improved genomic surveillance, but it also highlights vulnerabilities in the nation’s food system.
For now, federal regulators stress that the investigation is still unfolding. As additional testing continues, more recalls could be issued. “This is clearly an evolving situation,” FreshRealm noted in its update.
Conclusion
With four deaths already confirmed, the listeria outbreak linked to pasta meals sold at major U.S. retailers has become one of the most serious foodborne illness events of 2025. While federal agencies continue to track the source and scope of the contamination, consumers are being urged to remain cautious, check product labels, and follow recall notices closely.
