Copyright timesnownews
A deadly Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated ready-to-eat pasta dishes has left six people dead, 25 hospitalised, and at least 27 infected across 18 U.S. states, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, which federal officials say began months ago, has now been traced to recalled pasta meals manufactured by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California, and distributed nationwide by FreshRealm, a meal preparation company that supplies major retailers including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Whole Foods. The Scope of the Outbreak As of Friday, the CDC confirmed that of the 26 cases where medical data was available, 25 required hospitalisation, and six deaths were reported in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. One pregnancy-associated illness tragically resulted in a miscarriage. “Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous pathogen that can contaminate ready-to-eat foods,” the CDC said. “Illness can begin anywhere from the same day to 10 weeks after consumption.” The agency warned that the true number of infections may be higher than reported, given the three- to four-week testing window needed to confirm cases and the possibility that some people recover without seeking medical attention. How It Began: FreshRealm and Nate’s Fine Foods Identified as Source The investigation into the outbreak began in June, when several hospitalised patients reported having eaten chicken fettuccine alfredo meals prior to falling ill. Laboratory tests conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in products made by FreshRealm, which sources its pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods. Subsequent testing confirmed that both pasta ingredients and finished meals from Nate’s Fine Foods were contaminated. The company voluntarily recalled more than 245,000 pounds of pasta meals, including fettuccine alfredo, pasta primavera, chicken carbonara, and macaroni and cheese dishes. The recall affected products sold under private labels and through national grocery chains. Some Trader Joe’s and Kroger-branded pasta meals were also pulled from shelves “out of an abundance of caution,” though no definitive contamination was linked to all retailers. “Consumers who purchased any of the recalled pasta meals should not eat them,” the CDC advised. “They should either return the items to the place of purchase or throw them away immediately.” Listeria: Symptoms and Risks Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can survive in cold environments, making it particularly dangerous in refrigerated ready-to-eat foods such as salads, meats, and pasta meals. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache, which may appear within hours or weeks after consumption. In severe cases, especially among pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, the infection can lead to meningitis, miscarriage, or death. The CDC said one of the most alarming aspects of this outbreak was how widely distributed the contaminated products were, spanning nearly one-third of the United States. “Because many of these meals are pre-packaged and refrigerated, they may still be in consumers’ homes,” said Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of CDC’s Division of Foodborne Diseases. “Anyone with recalled items should act immediately to avoid potential infection.” Next Steps and Federal Oversight The FDA and USDA-FSIS are now working with local and state agencies to trace the contaminated batches through the supply chain. Both agencies have increased testing at production facilities, transport hubs, and retail outlets that received shipments from FreshRealm. The CDC has published a detailed list of recalled items, brands, and product codes on its Food Safety Alerts page, urging consumers to cross-check labels. Health officials also recommend sanitising refrigerators and food contact surfaces if recalled items were stored in them, as Listeria can persist even at refrigeration temperatures. “This outbreak is a sobering reminder of how complex foodborne illness investigations can be,” said Sandra Eskin, USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety. “Our immediate priority is ensuring every recalled product is off the shelves and out of homes.” Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.
