Florida Among States Impacted in Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Pasta

Florida is one of 15 states affected by a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections tied to pre-cooked pasta meals, federal health officials confirmed this week.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Sept. 29 that 20 people have fallen ill in connection with the outbreak. Nineteen of those cases have required hospitalization, and four deaths have been reported. One infection in a pregnant mother led to a fetal loss.

The illnesses have been traced to prepared pasta meals sold under several brand names, including Walmart’s Marketside, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger’s Home Chef. Products under recall include:

• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz and 32.8 oz packages, with best-by dates through June 27, 2025)
• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz, best-by June 19, 2025, or prior)
• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12 oz, with best-by dates ranging from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1, 2025)
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz, best-by Sept. 20, 24, or 27, 2025)

The supplier of the pasta recalled certain lots of pre-cooked fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle after samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Officials say the contamination was confirmed to be the same strain that caused illnesses in earlier recalls this summer.

Consumers in Florida and nationwide are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and not to eat them.

Listeriosis symptoms may begin within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, though onset can range from the same day up to 10 weeks later. Mild cases may cause fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, while severe cases can lead to confusion, convulsions, and even death. Pregnant women, newborns, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

The FDA said the investigation remains ongoing as it works with suppliers and retailers to determine whether additional recalls are necessary.

Additional information and product photos can be found here.