California Company Recalls Pasta Products After Deadly Listeria Outbreak

Nate’s Fine Foods recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta after testing found the same listeria strain responsible for four deaths and 20 illnesses across multiple states.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 10/10/2025, 2:09:34 AM EDT

California Company Recalls Pasta Products After Deadly Listeria Outbreak — Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce. (U.S. Agriculture Department via AP)

A California-based pasta manufacturer has withdrawn nearly 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta products from the market after testing linked its products to a lethal listeria outbreak that has claimed four lives.

Nate's Fine Foods initiated the voluntary recall on Sept. 25, pulling thousands of cases of various pasta shapes, including linguine, fettuccine, penne, and farfalle, from distribution, according to a Food and Drug Administration notice published Thursday.

The recalled products were sold to major producers who make ready-to-eat meals and pasta salads distributed nationwide.

The recall followed genetic testing that identified the same listeria strain in Nate's pasta as the bacteria found in chicken fettuccine Alfredo and meatball linguine products connected to an ongoing outbreak. The contamination has resulted in 20 illnesses and four deaths since August 2024, with the most recent case reported on Sept. 11, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

FreshRealm, a San Clemente company that produced the affected ready-to-eat meals, conducted genetic sequencing analysis that confirmed the connection between Nate's pasta and the outbreak.

The contaminated pasta was distributed across California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The FDA advises consumers to throw away potentially affected products immediately or return them for full refunds.

The Nate's Fine Foods recall encompasses nine different pasta products totaling 4,706 cases. Products include frozen linguine pasta in 30-pound cases, refrigerated fettuccine and farfalle pasta in various packaging, and specialty items produced for Taylor Farms, including rotini and tortellini varieties.

All recalled products carry potential listeria contamination warnings and specific lot numbers with use-by dates ranging from October 2025 through August 2026.

Multiple major retailers have issued recalls for products containing the contaminated pasta. Sprouts Farmers Market recalled smoked mozzarella pasta salad from deli counters with best-by dates between Oct. 10 and Oct. 29. Giant Eagle withdrew similar pasta salad products with expiration dates from Sept. 30 through Oct. 7.

Kroger stores pulled deli bowtie and penne pasta salads sold from Aug. 29 through Oct. 2. Albertsons Companies recalled store-prepared deli pasta salads with sell-through dates spanning Sept. 8 to Oct. 4.

Ready-to-eat meal recalls include Scott & Jon's Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls in 9.6-ounce packages with best-by dates in March 2027. Trader Joe's withdrew 16-ounce Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo products with various best-by dates throughout September and early October.

Walmart's Marketside brand recalled both Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce in 12-ounce packages and Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine in two sizes. Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo products weighing 12.5 ounces with best-by dates of June 19 or earlier were also withdrawn from sale.

Consumers should not eat any products potentially connected to this recall and should immediately see a doctor if they experience listeria symptoms after eating pasta products from the affected retailers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.