Nate's Pasta Listeria Outbreak: 27 Sick, 6+ Dead

Federal health agencies traced a nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak to precooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, sickening 27 people across 18 states and hospitalizing 25. Agencies say the outbreak has caused at least six deaths and one pregnancy‑associated fetal loss, though some outlets have reported seven or eight fatalities. The FDA, CDC and USDA‑FSIS are coordinating a multi‑agency investigation and Nate’s voluntarily recalled large quantities of ready‑to‑eat and heat‑and‑eat pasta products after laboratory tests matched the outbreak strain. Recalled items sold at major retailers — including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Sprouts and Albertsons — are largely past their best‑by dates, but some products (for example, Scott & Jon’s shrimp scampi bowls) may still be in refrigerators or freezers; consumers are urged to check, discard or return recalled products for a refund. Investigators continue tracing distribution, testing to determine whether additional foods are contaminated, and advising anyone with fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms or pregnancy complications after consuming these products to seek medical care.