- Walmart and Trader Joe’s pasta meals flagged for possible Listeria contamination.
- CDC has linked 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths to the broader outbreak.
- Shoppers should check fridges and freezers for affected meals and dispose safely.
There’s an active public health alert on two types of ready-to-eat meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s nationwide, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. This is due to a Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The following meals are part of the public health alert:
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce: sold at Walmart in 12-ounce plastic trays with best-by dates ranging from September 22 to October 1, 2025 and establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- Trader Joe’s Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo: sold in 16-ounce plastic packages with best-by dates of September 20, 24 or 27, 2025 and establishment number “P- 45288” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The cooked pasta used in the above meals may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and may be a part of a previous recall of chicken Alfredo products, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a release. Testing is underway to determine if the two Listeria strains are connected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has opened an investigation into the ongoing Listeria outbreak, and has currently connected 20 cases, including 19 hospitalizations and four deaths, to the contaminated pasta.
I Write About Food Recalls for a Living—Here’s How to Find the Most Important Information on Your Product
Listeria infection (listeriosis) can result in severe illness for those who are older than 65, pregnant or immunocompromised. Symptoms of listeriosis may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and they typically last for up to three days. If you are showing signs of foodborne illness, consult a health care professional.
The original recall of chicken Alfredo meals at Kroger and Walmart locations nationwide only included expiration dates ranging up to June 27, 2025. If you occasionally freeze meals like these, you may want to check your freezer for these products:
- “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” sold in 32.8-ounce tray packages with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.
- “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” sold in 12.3-ounce tray packages with best-by date 06/26/25 or prior.
- “HOME CHEF Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with pasta, grilled white meat chicken and Parmesan cheese” sold in 12.5-ounce tray packages with best-by date 06/19/25 or prior.
The above items also contain the USDA mark of inspection on the product label and establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770” or “EST. P-47718” printed on the side of the packaging.
If you have any of these items on hand, dispose of them or return them to your place of purchase. Clean the surfaces on your counter, refrigerator and freezer that may have come in contact with the recalled products in order to prevent any contamination.
