A deadly listeria outbreak has been linked to some ready-made pasta meals! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a deadly listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat pasta meals sold by major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons.
As of September 30, 2025, health officials have reported:
- 20 confirmed listeria cases across 15 states
- 19 hospitalizations
- 4 deaths, including one tragic pregnancy loss
Listeria infections were identified in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
Click for a complete list of affected foods from the Center of Disease Control.
This outbreak has triggered an increasing number of listeria outbreak lawsuits across the country as families demand accountability from food manufacturers and distributors.
What the CDC Recommends You Do
The CDC has issued urgent guidance for anyone who may have purchased or consumed the affected pasta meals:
- Do not eat any recalled or affected foods.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and all surfaces that may have touched the contaminated foods. Listeria can survive even in cold temperatures and easily spread to other items.
- If you are pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, take extra precautions and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have symptoms.
CDC’s Medical Guidance by Group
Pregnant Women affected by Listeria:
- Watch for fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
- Even if illness feels mild, listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in newborns.
Older Adults and Immunocompromised Individuals affected by Listeria:
- Symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
- Listeria in these populations often results in hospitalization and can lead to death.
If you suspect infection, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Seek medical evaluation immediately.
What Is Listeria and Why It’s Dangerous
Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that can contaminate ready-to-eat foods such as meats, cheeses, seafood, and prepared meals — including pasta dishes now linked to this outbreak. Unlike most bacteria, listeria can grow and multiply even at refrigerator temperatures, which makes it uniquely dangerous in foods that are pre-cooked and stored cold before eating.
Listeria often spreads through improperly sanitized surfaces, food processing equipment, or cross-contamination during packaging and distribution. Once it contaminates a batch of food, it can easily spread to other products in shared storage or display cases.
Because listeria thrives in cool environments, even clean-looking refrigerators, containers, and countertops can harbor the bacteria long after the contaminated food has been discarded. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s crucial that consumers:
- Do not eat affected foods.
- Clean refrigerators, containers, and all surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled meals.
- Be aware that listeria can survive and spread within cold storage, infecting other foods.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Listeria is particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and those 65 years or older. In these groups, the infection can spread beyond the digestive tract into the bloodstream and nervous system, leading to a serious condition known as invasive listeriosis.
How Quickly Do Symptoms Appear?
Symptoms of listeriosis typically begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but in some cases, they may appear as soon as the same day or up to 10 weeks later. This long incubation period often makes it difficult for victims to trace the infection to a specific product — one of the key challenges in building a strong listeria outbreak lawsuit.
Because listeria can be deadly, anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately, especially if they have recently eaten ready-to-eat pasta meals or other foods now under recall.
Understanding the Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit
A listeria lawsuit is a type of product liability and negligence claim filed against companies responsible for producing or distributing contaminated food. These lawsuits help victims recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and — in fatal cases — wrongful death damages.
Listeria outbreaks often lead to nationwide litigation because contaminated products are shipped across multiple states before recalls are issued. Victims typically pursue claims against:
- The manufacturer or supplier of the contaminated pasta meals
- The retailers that sold them (Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons)
- Third-party food processors that failed to follow safety standards
If you were hospitalized or lost a loved one after eating one of the recalled products, you may qualify to join a listeria outbreak lawsuit or pursue an individual food poisoning lawsuit.
Who Can File a Listeria Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a listeria lawsuit if you:
- Were diagnosed with listeriosis confirmed by a lab or medical professional
- Ate ready-to-eat pasta meals recently recalled or investigated by the CDC or FDA
- Suffered serious health consequences, including hospitalization or pregnancy loss
- Lost a family member due to listeria-related complications
Even individuals who experienced milder cases may still qualify for a food contamination lawsuit, especially if the infection caused lost wages, ongoing fatigue, or medical bills.
Compensation Available in a Listeria Lawsuit
Victims of contaminated food outbreaks may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses (hospitalization, medications, diagnostic testing)
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases
- Punitive damages in cases of corporate negligence or delayed recalls
The Downs Law Group’s food contamination attorneys evaluate each case individually to determine the full scope of damages available under state and federal law.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Listeria Infection
If you believe you’ve been affected by this outbreak, take these steps immediately:
- Seek medical care and request a listeria lab test.
- Save any remaining food packaging or receipts showing where and when the product was purchased.
- Document symptoms and hospital visits in writing.
- Contact a foodborne illness attorney at The Downs Law Group as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
Legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) vary by state, so early action is essential to avoid losing your right to file a listeria lawsuit.
Filing a Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with listeriosis after eating ready-made pasta meals from Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, or Albertsons, you may be entitled to compensation.
Call The Downs Law Group today at 305-444-8226 for a FREE review of your potential claim.
Our attorneys will review your case, connect you with medical experts, and guide you through the process of filing a listeria lawsuit, from investigation through settlement or trial.