Deadly Listeria outbreak hits brands sold at Trader Joe’s, Kroger sold in NC, other states

A line of products first recalled for Listeria contamination in June 2025 and expanded in late September is responsible for seven new illnesses and two new deaths in the U.S. between Sept. 25-Oct. 30.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recall was expanded on Sept. 30 by the supplier of the affected products, Nate’s Fine Foods, after a sample of linguine pasta collected and tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall now includes certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, including fettuccine, linguine and farfalle (bowtie) products. The firm is working with the FDA and customers to determine if additional recalls are needed, with more information to come as it becomes available.

Here’s what we know about the deadly outbreak affecting 18 states – North Carolina included.

What products were recalled for Listeria?

Consumers are urged to check freezers for affected products and not eat or serve them. Anyone with symptoms of listeriosis should contact their health care provider to report symptoms and receive care.

The updated list of products recalled for possible Listeria contamination includes:

• Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – product use by dates Oct. 10 – Oct. 29 (Sprouts Farmers Market recall)

• Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad – expiration dates Sept. 30 through Oct. 7 (Giant Eagle recall)

• Kroger stores recalled deli bowtie and penne pasta salads – sold on Aug. 29 thru Oct. 2 (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-through dates from Sept. 8 to Oct. 4 (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)

What states are having a Listeria outbreak? Is the Listeria outbreak in North Carolina?

A total of 27 people are known to have been infected by the Listeria outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. These cases are associated with 25 hospitalizations and six deaths. So far, one case has been reported in North Carolina.

The CDC provided the following map of where cases have been reported:

Listeria symptoms

Listeria symptoms tend to start within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but can show up to 10 weeks later.

Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.

Who is at high risk for Listeria infection?

In people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older or have weakened immune systems, Listeria is more likely to spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body. The bacteria are therefore more dangerous to these groups, as it is more likely to result in invasive listeriosis, a life-threatening condition.

In people who are pregnant, the bacteria also may cause premature birth, miscarriage or life-threatening infections in newborns.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What states are having a Listeria outbreak? Which stores, recall lists