Editor’s Platform: Check Your Freezers – The Listeria Outbreak is Ongoing – ‘When in Doubt, Throw It Out’
Despite the Listeria epidemic which began a few months ago and the multiple recalls, the number of illnesses and deaths linked to the epidemic has increased. Please check your freezers. “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Note:Epidemiological, laboratory and traceability data show that some meals produced by FreshRealm are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are making people sick. Nate’s Fine Foods pasta was an ingredient in FreshRealm Beef Meatball Linguine Marinara dishes. This pasta tested positive for Listeria and the whole genome sequencing pasta used in the meal tested positive for Listeria. Whole genome sequencing results show that Listeria in pasta is the same strain that is making people sick.
Since the last update on September 25, 2025, a total of 7 new illnesses and 3 new states have been reported, with 2 additional deaths reported, one in Hawaii and one in Oregon.
A total of 27 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported in 18 states. California 3, Hawaii 2, Florida 1, Illinois 1, Indiana 1, Louisiana 2, Michigan 2, Minnesota 1, Missouri 1, North Carolina 1, Nevada 1, Ohio 1, Oregon 3, South Carolina 1, Texas 3, Utah 1, Washington 1.
The patient samples were collected between August 1, 2024 and October 16, 2025. Of 26 people for whom information is available, 25 were hospitalized and 6 deaths were reported. One death in each of the following states: Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Utah. An illness associated with pregnancy resulted in fetal loss.
Reminders:
- Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – use by dates 10/10/25 – 10/29/25 (Sprouts Farmers Market recall)
- Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – Best before dates 09/30/25 – 10/7/25 (Giant Eagle recall)
- Kroger Stores Recalled Bowtie and Penne Deli Salads – Sold AUG 29, 2025 – OCT 2, 2025 (Kroger Recall)
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6 oz – best if used by dates of 03/12/2027, 03/13/2027, 03/17/2027, 03/21/2027 (Demers Food Group recall)
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, in 16 oz plastic tubs with expiration dates if used by 09/20/2025, 09/24/2025, 09/27/2025, 09/28/2025, 10/01/2025, 10/03/2025, 10/05/2025, 08/10/2025 or 10/10/2025 (USDA FSIS Public Health Alert)
- Albertsons stores recalled store-made deli pasta salads – sell-by dates SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 – OCT 4-25 (Albertsons recall)
- Market Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce 12 oz. – preferable if used before September 22, 2025; September 24, 2025; SEPTEMBER 25, 2025; September 29, 2025; SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; and October 1, 2025 (USDA FSIS Public Health Alert)
- Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3 oz – best before date of June 26, 2025 or before; and 32.8 ounces – expiration date on or before June 27, 2025 (FreshRealm recall)
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5 oz – best before date of June 19, 2025 or before (FreshRealm recall)
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