A multistate listeria outbreak tied to popular frozen meals sold at major retailers including Trader Joe's and Walmart has escalated dramatically, with health officials now reporting 20 confirmed cases across 15 states, including 4 deaths and 19 hospitalizations. The outbreak has also resulted in one pregnancy-related fetal loss, highlighting the severe risks this foodborne pathogen poses to vulnerable populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an expanded alert on September 26, 2025, revealing three additional illnesses and one more death since their last update in June. What began as an investigation into chicken fettuccine alfredo meals has now broadened to include multiple pasta-based products from FreshRealm, the manufacturer behind the contaminated meals.
The Source: Contaminated Pasta Manufacturing
The outbreak's origin has been traced to
cooked pasta used in FreshRealm's ready-to-eat meals. Initially, investigators identified the listeria strain in FreshRealm's chicken fettuccine alfredo heat-and-serve meals, which were recalled on June 17, 2025. However, recent testing has revealed that pasta used in the company's beef meatball marinara linguine meals has also tested positive for the same outbreak strain of
Listeria monocytogenes.
"We now know the source was cooked pasta," a FreshRealm spokesperson confirmed in a statement to reporters. The company has been working closely with the USDA, FDA, and CDC as the investigation continues to unfold.
Products Under Recall
The recall now encompasses multiple products sold at major retail chains:
Walmart Products:- "Marketside linguine with beef meatballs and marinara sauce" in 12-ounce trays
- "Best if used by" dates: September 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and October 1, 2025
Trader Joe's Products:- "Trader Joe's cajun style blackened chicken breast fettuccine alfredo"
- "Best if used by" dates: September 20, 24, and 27, 2025
Health officials warn that while these products should no longer be available for sale,
they may still be present in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.
A Growing Public Health Crisis
This outbreak represents part of a disturbing trend in the United States. Over the past decade, the country has experienced approximately
30 listeria outbreaks resulting in 524 cases and 80 deaths. The current outbreak's case fatality rate underscores the serious nature of listeriosis, particularly among high-risk populations.
The disease poses the greatest threat to:
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Pregnant women (can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or neonatal death)
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Adults over 65 years old-
Immunocompromised individualsUnderstanding Listeriosis Symptoms
Listeriosis symptoms typically appear within two weeks of infection and can include:
- Fever and muscle aches
- Fatigue and headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or loss of balance
- Seizures
The severity of symptoms often necessitates hospitalization, as evidenced by the
95% hospitalization rate in this current outbreak.
Regulatory Response and Investigation
The outbreak investigation involves multiple federal agencies working in coordination:
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CDC: Leading epidemiological investigation and public health response
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FDA: Overseeing food safety regulations and recalls
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USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): Monitoring meat and poultry products
The USDA issued a public health alert providing additional details about the recalled products, while the CDC continues to monitor for additional cases across the affected states.
What Consumers Should Do
Health officials urge consumers to:
1.
Check freezers and refrigerators for recalled products immediately
2.
Dispose of any recalled items or return them to the point of purchase
3.
Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products
4.
Seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms after consuming these products
The investigation remains active, with officials working to determine if additional products may be affected. FreshRealm has committed to continued cooperation with federal agencies as they work to prevent further illnesses.
This outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in food safety, even with established regulatory frameworks and industry standards designed to protect consumers from foodborne pathogens.
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Sources
1. Multistate Listeria outbreak tied to packaged meals expands
2. Recurring food source‐based Listeria outbreaks in the United States
3. CDC expands Listeria outbreak to include more prepared ...
4. Listeria Outbreaks - CDC
5. Listeria outbreak from recalled frozen meals sold at Trader ...
6. Listeria (Listeriosis) - FDA
7. Investigation Update: Prepared Meals Outbreak ...
8. Food Recalls | Food Safety News
9. Recalls and Outbreaks | FoodSafety.gov
