Texans Beware, Death Toll Reaches 6 After Listeria Break in Pasta Meals Continues

A nationwide food-safety alarm has escalated: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports at least six deaths and dozens of illnesses in a foodborne outbreak tied to pre-cooked pasta meals sold at major grocery chains, and yes, Texas is among the states impacted.

According to AP News, "at least six people have died and 27 have been sickened in 18 states," and at least one death happened in Texas. Listeria can cause serious disease, particularly in elderly or very young people and the immunocompromised. Listeria can also cause miscarriage in pregnant women. 

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What Caused The Outbreak?

Using genetic sequencing of the Listeria bacteria found in contaminated items, the outbreak was traced to Nate's Fine Foods in Roseville, California. Subsequently, nearly 245,000 pounds of food were recalled, including "cases of linguine, fettuccine, penne and other products sold to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads."

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Which Products Are Involved?

While many of these products are now past the "best by" date there is at least one frozen item that is still in date, and some folks like to freeze items for later. If you have any of these items, DO NOT consume them. Per the FDA:

• Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad - product use by dates 10/10/25 - 10/29/25 (Sprouts Farmers Market recall)
• Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad – expiration dates 9/30/25 through 10/7/25 (Giant Eagle recall)
• Kroger stores recalled deli bowtie and penne pasta salads – sold on AUG 29 2025 thru OCT 2 2025 (Kroger recall)
• Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6-oz – best if used by dates of 3/12/2027, 3/13/2027, 3/17/2027, 3/21/2027 (Demers Food Group Recall)
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo 16-oz plastic tray packages with “best if used by” dates of 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, 9/27/2025, 9/28/2025, 10/01/2025, 10/03/2025, 10/05/2025, 10/08/2025, or 10/10/2025 (USDA FSIS public health alert)
• Albertsons stores recalled store-made deli pasta salads – sell thru dates from SEP 8 2025 to OCT 4 25 (Albertsons recall)
• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz. – best if used by dates of SEP 22, 2025; SEP 24, 2025; SEP 25, 2025; SEP 29, 2025; SEP 30, 2025; and OCT 01, 2025 (USDA FSIS public health alert)
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3-oz – best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior; and 32.8-oz – best-by date of June 27, 2025, or prior (FreshRealm recall)
• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5-oz – best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior (FreshRealm recall)

This outbreak is a sobering reminder of how quickly everyday convenience foods can become dangerous. With six confirmed deaths and dozens of illnesses already, the risk is real and urgent, especially for vulnerable Texans. If you’ve purchased ready-to-eat pasta meals recently, take a moment now to check your kitchen, toss the suspect items, and protect your family.