The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its investigation into a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to prepared meal products. According to the CDC, three more illnesses and one additional death have been reported in connection with this outbreak.
FreshRealm, a food company, has added another product to its recall list after testing found the same strain of Listeria as previous products recalled on June 17, 2025. The newly affected item is beef meatball marinara linguine meals. Additionally, pasta used in these meals also tested positive for Listeria. However, authorities are still determining if it matches the strain causing illness in people.
On September 25, 2025, FreshRealm held back linguini pasta used in certain meal products from distribution. While these items should no longer be available for purchase, the CDC warns they may still be present in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a Public Health Alert with further details about the affected foods.
The CDC advises consumers not to eat any of the implicated foods and recommends cleaning refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with them since Listeria can survive at refrigerator temperatures and spread easily.
"Pregnant women: Fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Your illness may be mild, but Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns," stated the CDC.
Other symptoms among those infected may include "Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever, muscle aches, and tiredness," according to guidance from health officials.
Listeria poses greater risks for people aged 65 or older, pregnant women, or individuals with weakened immune systems because it is more likely to lead to invasive listeriosis—a severe condition where bacteria spread beyond the gut. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks after consuming contaminated food but could start as soon as the same day or up to ten weeks later.
For more information about ongoing developments regarding this outbreak—including updates on recalled products—visit https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-06-25/index.html.
