A nationwide listeria outbreak tied to recalled frozen meals sold at Trader Joe’s and Walmart has left four people dead and 19 others hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak, which has spread across 15 states, is linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Products Under Recall

The recall affects two popular frozen meal products:

• Walmart – Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
  • Package size: 12-ounce trays
  • Best if used by dates: Sept. 22, 24, 25, 29, 30 and Oct. 1, 2025
  • First recalled in June 2025
• Trader Joe’s – Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Best if used by dates: Sept. 20, 24 and 27, 2025
  • Added to the recall list in late September 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a public health alert warning that these meals may have been contaminated during production. Although the products should no longer be on store shelves, officials caution that consumers may still have them in their refrigerators or freezers.

Public Health Risk

The CDC emphasized that consumers must not eat the recalled products. Instead, they should:

• Discard or return them to the store of purchase
• Clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the food

Unlike many bacteria, Listeria can survive and spread in cold environments like refrigerators, posing a risk of cross-contamination to other foods.

Vulnerable Groups at Higher Risk

The outbreak poses particular danger to:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Pregnant women and their newborns
• People with weakened immune systems

In these groups, listeria infection can progress to invasive listeriosis, a severe condition where the bacteria spread beyond the gut, leading to life-threatening complications.

Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Listeria infection typically develops within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, but symptoms may appear as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after exposure.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever, muscle aches, and tiredness
• Headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance
• Convulsions in severe cases

Pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms but face the risk of:

• Pregnancy loss
• Premature birth
• Serious illness or death in newborns

The CDC urges anyone in a vulnerable group who develops these symptoms after eating the recalled meals to seek immediate medical attention.

This outbreak underscores the serious public health threat posed by listeria contamination in ready-to-eat foods and highlights the importance of timely recalls and consumer awareness.

Source: US FDA, New york times