Americans are being asked across the country to check their refrigerators for a pre-cooked pasta meal which might contain listeria.
So far there have been reports of six deaths after people ate pre-cooked pasta meals from Nate’s Fine Foods. The popular chain of meals is sold across the country at major supermarkets, including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Walmart.
The CDC issued a case count update on September 25. A total of seven new cases have been reported from three different states, as well as two additional deaths, according to the FDA.
The number of people infected now stands at 27 across 18 separate states. Out of these, 25 people have been hospitalized, and six deaths have so far been reported.
The meals are believed to have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeriosis.
The meals have been temporarily withdrawn from sale, and shoppers have been urged to check their fridges to ensure they have not already bought the food items. The pasta meals include, fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle (bowtie), among those that have been recalled.
Nate’s Fine Food has since then released a press statement saying, “Nate’s Fine Foods is committed to the highest standards of food safety and the well-being of our consumers. Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily recalling select products after being notified of a potential link to a multistate outbreak of listeria monocytogenes.”
“We are in the process of committing our resources to continuing our previously impeccable food safety record by being diligent in our investigation.”
“We are working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health officials to fully investigate the source. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy our products, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps until this matter is resolved.”
Cause of Listeria
Listeriosis is a rare infection that is caused by a bacterium by the name of Listeria.
Most people who are infected with it usually make a recovery however at times it can also prove to be deadly.
Listeriosis is usually caused by eating contaminated food. But it can also be caused by contact with someone who has it or by close contact with farm animals.
Symptoms of the infection to look out for
There are various symptoms you need to look out for;
· Fever
· Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
· Headache
· Stiff neck
· Confusion
· Loss of balance
· Seizures
The intestinal symptoms also include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment
Listeriosis is a mild illness that gets better without any medical intervention for most people.
If you drink plenty of fluids and take care of yourself by resting, usually the condition improves just with this.
However, in some people it can prove to be complicated. Pregnant people, young children, and people with weakened immune systems. In such cases, antibiotics might be necessary.
What products have been recalled:
Two pasta products were initially impacted by the recall, with a further six also affected. Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo was initially impacted.
The product is packaged in a 16-oz plastic tray and has best by dates of 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, 9/27/2025, 9/28/2025, 10/1/2025, 10/3/2025, 10/5/2025, 10/8/2025, or 10/10/2025.
Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz were also affected, with best before dates of SEP 22, 2025; SEP 24, 2025; SEP 25, 2025; SEP 29, 2025; SEP 30, 2025; and OCT 01, 2025.
On September 30, Albertsons Companies recalled its Bowtie Pasta Salads and Meals. Later, Demers Food Group also recalled its Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini.
On October 2, The Kroger Co. recalled its Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad. These were sold under various grocery brands which include Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, and Smith’s.
The next day, Giant Eagle, Inc. also recalled of its Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad. Most recently, Sprouts Farmers Market issued a recall of its Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad under the Sprouts brand.
Please share this with others so they can also be aware of the recall for these products.
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