What is Listeria? This is what you need to know
Learn about Listeria, its symptoms, and essential precautions to protect against foodborne diseases.
Four people have been killed, and nearly 20 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak of Listeria related to a recall sold nationwide at Walmart, Trader Joe, Kroger and Albertsons stores.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first reported a recall that included a meal of pasta prepared on Thursday, September 25th, investigating the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, which could lead to listeriosis and listeria poisoning.
The federal agency expanded its food safety warning this week, reporting that as of September 30, it is known that what happened in 15 states now have occurred.
What you need to know about the updated recalls includes which states reported cases of related listeriosis.
A case reported in 15 states that died from a listeria outbreak
The listeria outbreak was first announced in June, when the CDC began investigating reports of disease.
As of September 30, there were 20 confirmed cases of listeria poisoning associated with the outbreak, the CDC reported. Of these, 19 people were hospitalized and four died. In one case, pregnant women experienced fetal loss as a result of a related infection.
In addition to Utah, deaths occurred in Illinois, Michigan and Texas. Related infections include California (2 cases), Florida (1 case), Illinois (1 case), Indiana (1 case), Louisiana (2 cases), Michigan (2 cases), Minnesota (1 case), Missouri (1 case), Nevada (1 case), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (1 case), Nevada (1 case), Nevada (1 case), Utah (1 case) and Virginia (1 case).
The numbers are only known cases and may not represent the full range of occurrence, according to the CDC.
It reminded me of Walmart, Trader Joe, Kroger and Albertsons products
Ready to eat pasta products were available at Walmart, Trader Joe, Kroger and Albertsons stores nationwide.
Walmart
- Market Side Ringuina with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce: Available in 12 oz clear plastic tray packages, September 25, September 2025, September 25, September 25, October 1, September 22, September 24, September 24, September 24, September 2025. Establishment number EST. 50784 or est. 47718 within the USDA inspection mark.
- Market Side Grilled Chicken Alfredo and Fettchin: Available in 12.3, 12.5, 32.8 oz tray packages, available on June 19th, June 26th, June 27th, 2025 or on previous per Best dates. Establishment number EST. P-50784, EST. P-47770 or EST. Printed inside the USDA mark for P-47718 inspection.
“Walmart and Sam’s Club are committed to providing health and safety to our customers and members, as well as safe and compliant products, all supported by our health and health, product safety and food safety experts,” Walmart wrote on its website.
Trader Joe
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Black Chicken Breast Fettchin Alfredo: Available in 16 oz plastic tray packages at Best Buy Date on September 20th, September 24th and September 27th, 2025. Establishment number P-45288 within the USDA inspection mark.
“We publish this guidance with a wealth of care as testing of another brand using a shared ingredient source has shown that this product can be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes,” Trader Joe said in a statement.
Kroger and Albertsons:
- Home Chef Heat & Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo: Available in a 12.5oz tray package on June 19, 2025 or previous Best Buy Date. Establishment number EST. P-50784, EST. P-47770 or EST. Printed on the side of the package within the USDA mark of the P-47718 inspection. Available on Kroger Stores.
- Ready to Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 27133000000. The best date from September 13th to September 29th, 2025. It was distributed to Albertsons and Safeway locations in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming.
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 29492100000. The best date from September 13th to September 29th, 2025. It was distributed to Albertsons and Safeway locations in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming.
- Ready to Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 27133000000. The best date from September 8th to September 26th, 2025. It is distributed at Albertsons, Pavilion, Safeway and Bonds locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 29492100000. The best date from September 8th to September 26th, 2025. It is distributed at Albertsons, Pavilion, Safeway and Bonds locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.
- Ready to Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 27133000000. The best date from September 20th to September 29th, 2025. It was distributed to the Albertsons, Randall and Tom Sam locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 29492100000. The best date from September 20th to September 29th, 2025. It was distributed to the Albertsons, Randall and Tom Sam locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
- Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 21649200000. From September 11th to September 29th, 2025. Safeway, Andronico Community Market, Vons, Pak’n saves locations in California, Hawaii and Nevada.
- Grilled chicken and basil pasta is very big: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 21303500000. The best date from September 18th to September 29th, 2025. It is distributed at Carrs-Safeway, Eagle and Safeway locations in Alaska.
- Lady Meal Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 29130800000. The best date from September 18th to September 29th, 2025. It is distributed at Carrs-Safeway, Eagle and Safeway locations in Alaska.
- Ready to eat spinach bowtie pasta salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 21142600000. The best date from September 16th to September 26th, 2025. It is distributed at United, Amigos, Market Street and Albertson’s Market locations in New Mexico and Texas.
- Lady Meal Basil Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages labeled with product code 21191300000. The best date from September 16th to September 29th, 2025. It is distributed at United, Amigos, Market Street and Albertson’s Market locations in New Mexico and Texas.
What to do with a recalled pasta meal?
Both the CDC and the FDA advise returning affected products to the location where they are returned.
Wash and disinfect bowls, cups, storage containers and other surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled product. Process and prepare food, especially raw or uncooked products, before washing your hands thoroughly.
What are the symptoms of Listeria poisoning?
Listeria poisoning is a food-borne bacterial infection most commonly caused by Listeria monocytogen, according to the CDC. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for the elderly, those with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.
For each CDC, symptoms include:
- heat
- Muscle pain
- headache
- Stiff shoulders
- confusion
- Loss of balance
- convulsions
- diarrhea
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and/or life-threatening infections of newborn babies
- death
According to the CDC, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA Today. Contact her at nalund @usatoday.com and follow her at x @nataliealund.
