Listeria Outbreak Linked to Pre-Cooked Meals Raises Alarm

Washington, D.C. — U.S. health agencies have issued a warning regarding pre-cooked meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's due to an ongoing listeria outbreak. As of September 26, 2025, four deaths and 20 infections across 15 states are linked to contaminated products.

The alert specifically concerns Marketside beef meatball marinara linguine meals and Cajun-style blackened chicken breast fettuccine alfredo meals. Consumers are advised to discard or return these items to the place of purchase. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” officials stated.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on September 25 that contamination has been found in pasta used in these meals, leading to additional recalls from its June 2025 alert regarding chicken fettuccine alfredo meals.

Symptoms of listeria infection can include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, with severe cases leading to life-threatening conditions, particularly among pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC, most symptoms appear within two weeks after consuming contaminated food.

Health agencies continue to investigate the source of the outbreak. Testing is ongoing to determine the genetic relationship of the Listeria strain found in the pasta to the outbreak strain. In light of these findings, consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for potentially dangerous products.

For further updates and recall information, individuals can visit the FSIS website.