Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals Results in Six Deaths Across 18 States
A listeria outbreak associated with prepared pasta meals has led to six deaths and 27 illnesses across 18 states, prompting extensive product recalls and ongoing investigations by health authorities.
A listeria outbreak associated with prepared pasta meals has resulted in six deaths and 27 reported illnesses across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The affected states include California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The outbreak has been traced to pre-cooked pasta produced by Nate's Fine Foods of Roseville, California. In September, the company recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta, including linguine, fettuccine, and penne, which were used in ready-to-eat meals sold by major grocery chains such as Walmart and Trader Joe's.
FreshRealm Inc., a producer of ready-to-eat meals, conducted tests on its pasta samples in mid-September, which returned positive results for listeria. Further genetic testing confirmed that the strain matched the one identified in previously recalled chicken Alfredo meals.
In response, additional products were recalled, including Marketside Linguine With Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo. These products shared the same pasta supplier, Nate's Fine Foods.
Health officials advise consumers who purchased any of these meals to discard them and thoroughly clean their refrigerators, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the food.
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, primarily affects pregnant individuals, newborns, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. They usually start within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can appear as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to investigate the outbreak to determine if additional products are contaminated and if further recalls are necessary.