One dead in Utah from ready-to-eat pasta meal, public health alert issued

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is warning Utahns of a national public health alert affecting ready-to-eat pasta meals due to the risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Many illnesses have been reported, and one person has died in the state of Utah.

The UDAF is urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

“These products have been linked to an outbreak that has caused 20 illnesses, including 19 hospitalizations and four deaths, one of which was in Utah,” a press release from the UDAF states. “The actual number of illnesses may be higher than the number reported as many cases may go unreported and it can take 3-4 weeks to determine if an illness is part of an outbreak.”

The following products are subject to the public health alert issued by the USDA:

• Sold at Walmart: “Marketside Linguine With Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce”
  • 12-oz. clear plastic tray packages with “best if used by” dates SEP 22, 2025; SEP 24, 2025; SEP 25, 2025; SEP 29, 2025; SEP 30, 2025; and OCT 01, 2025. The product bears establishment number “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

• Sold at Trader Joe’s: “Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo”
  • 16-oz. plastic tray packages labeled with “best if used by” dates 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, or 9/27/2025 printed on the front label of the packaging. The product bears establishment number “P- 45288” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Food service company FreshRealm previously recalled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meals produced before June 17, 2025. These meals were sold in the refrigerated section of Walmart and Kroger stores. They are no longer on store shelves but may still be in consumers’ freezers. They include:

• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz.) – best-by date of June 26, 2025 or prior.
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (32.8 oz.) – best-by date of June 27, 2025 or prior.
• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz.) – best-by date of June 19, 2025 or prior.
  • Establishment numbers: “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718” in the USDA mark of inspection.

You should contact your retailer if you are unsure whether a product you purchased is part of this recall or public health alert, the USDA said. Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms of listeriosis, especially if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised.

Symptoms of listeriosis may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. Pregnant people, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

You can stay updated on current recalls issued by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service here.