Roseville, California – A major food safety alert has been issued as a California-based company, Nate’s Fine Foods, recalled nearly 245,000 pounds (111,130 kilograms) of pre-cooked pasta linked to a deadly listeria outbreak. The recall affects multiple pasta varieties sold at grocery stores across the United States, raising concerns among consumers and public health authorities.
The Reason for the Recall
The recall, announced on September 25, followed the discovery of listeria contamination in pasta products including linguine, fettuccine, penne, and other pre-cooked items. Tests confirmed that these pastas contained the same strain of listeria found in chicken fettuccine Alfredo and meatball linguine products. This outbreak has already resulted in four deaths and 20 reported illnesses since August 2024, with the latest case recorded on September 11.
FreshRealm, a San Clemente, California company that manufactures the ready-to-eat meals using these pastas, used genetic sequencing to confirm the connection to the outbreak.
Affected Products and Grocery Stores
Several grocery chains have proactively recalled products made with pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods. Consumers are strongly advised not to eat the affected products and either discard them or return them for a refund.
Detailed List of Recalled Items
- Sprouts Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – Sold at the deli counter or Grab & Go section; best-by dates: Oct. 10–29.
- Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – Expiration dates: Sept. 30–Oct. 7.
- Kroger Deli Bowtie and Penne Pasta Salads – Sold Aug. 29–Oct. 2.
- Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6 oz) – Best if used by March 12, 13, 17, 21, 2027.
- Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16-oz trays) – Best if used by Sept. 20, 24, 27, 28; Oct. 1, 3, 5, 8, 10.
- Albertsons Store-Made Deli Pasta Salads – Sell-thru dates: Sept. 8–Oct. 4.
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12-oz) – Best-by: Sept. 22, 24, 25, 29–Oct. 1.
- Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine – 12.3-oz: Best-by June 26, 2025, or prior; 32.8-oz: Best-by June 27, 2025, or prior.
- Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5-oz) – Best-by June 19 or prior.
Health Risks and Safety Precautions
Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and gastrointestinal issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued warnings urging consumers to remain vigilant and avoid any products linked to this outbreak.
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Actions Taken by Authorities
The FDA has closely monitored the situation and coordinated with multiple grocery chains and manufacturers to remove affected items from shelves. Public health authorities emphasize proper disposal of contaminated products to prevent further cases. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled items are urged to check labels, best-by dates, and product details carefully.
Nationwide Impact
The recall underscores the challenges of ensuring food safety in mass-produced, ready-to-eat meals. With products sold nationwide, the outbreak has affected multiple states and prompted widespread recalls at major grocery retailers. California, as the home state of both Nate’s Fine Foods and FreshRealm, has taken a leading role in public notifications and preventive measures.
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Conclusion
This California pasta recall serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety protocols and monitoring. Consumers across the United States are advised to check their pantry, follow recall instructions, and report any symptoms linked to listeria infection promptly. The FDA continues to investigate and monitor potential risks to ensure public health is protected.
