CDC Expands Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Meals | CDC Newsroom

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its investigation into a multistate Listeria outbreak initially linked to prepared pasta meals. The update, released September 26, 2025, reports three additional illnesses and one additional death, bringing the total case count to 28 illnesses across 19 states and 7 deaths. More information is available on the CDC website.

The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes has now been identified in FreshRealm’s beef meatball marinara linguine meals, prompting a further recall. Testing by FreshRealm revealed the presence of the outbreak strain in the linguine pasta used in these meals, though further investigation is underway to confirm if What we have is the original source of contamination.

Understanding Listeria and the Risks

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. While most people experience mild symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and nausea, the infection can be particularly dangerous for certain populations. These include pregnant women, adults 65 years or older, and individuals with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In older adults and immunocompromised individuals, the infection can result in hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, but can range from the same day to as late as 10 weeks after exposure. Beyond the initial flu-like symptoms, more severe manifestations can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

The Expanding Recall and Affected Products

The initial outbreak was linked to pasta products from Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. On September 30, 2025, Nate’s expanded their recall to include various lots of pre-cooked pasta – fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle (bowtie). Now, FreshRealm has also issued a recall for their beef meatball marinara linguine meals and the linguine pasta used in those meals. While the recalled products are no longer available for sale, consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers to ensure they haven’t retained any affected items. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a Public Health Alert with detailed information about the recalled products.

What Does This Investigation Reveal About Listeria?

This outbreak highlights the challenges of tracing Listeria contamination through the food supply. Listeria can thrive in refrigerated environments, making it difficult to eliminate and increasing the risk of cross-contamination. The CDC’s investigation utilizes a combination of epidemiological data – information gathered from sick individuals about their food consumption – and laboratory data, including genetic sequencing of the Listeria bacteria found in patient samples and food products. This allows investigators to identify common sources and track the spread of the outbreak.

The investigation began with samples collected from August 1, 2024, to November 16, 2025. Of the 28 individuals with available information, 27 required hospitalization. The outbreak has been confirmed in Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah, with one death reported in each of these states. One pregnancy-associated illness resulted in fetal loss.

Cleaning and Prevention: Reducing Your Risk

The CDC emphasizes the importance of thorough cleaning to prevent the spread of Listeria. Consumers should not only discard any recalled products but also meticulously clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated food. The CDC provides detailed guidance on how to properly clean your refrigerator to eliminate potential contamination.

Individuals at higher risk – pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems – should be particularly vigilant. If you fall into one of these categories and experience symptoms after potentially consuming affected products, It’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

The Ongoing Public Health Response

The CDC, in collaboration with state public health departments, the FDA, and the USDA-FSIS, continues to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available. This includes ongoing surveillance for new cases, further investigation into the source of contamination, and communication with the public about safety measures. The FDA maintains a dedicated page for this outbreak, providing the latest recall information and safety recommendations.

As the investigation progresses, public health officials will continue to analyze data and refine their understanding of the outbreak. This information will inform future guidance and prevention strategies aimed at protecting the public from Listeria contamination.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please contact that state’s health department. Media inquiries should be directed through the CDC News Media Branch request form.