USDA Issues Health Alert for Frozen Meals Sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s Linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm and Nate’s Fine Foods that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The alert comes as part of an ongoing investigation into a Listeria outbreak, originally announced in June, which has caused 20 illnesses to date, including 19 hospitalizations and four deaths.

The FSIS updated the health alert on Sept. 26 to include two new products: “Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce” and “Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo.”

While the original investigation centered on chicken Alfredo meals sold at Kroger and Walmart, one of the companies involved later tested additional pasta samples and confirmed they contained Listeria.

How To Identify the Affected Frozen Meals

Though the products are no longer being sold, FSIS is concerned that consumers may still have them in their refrigerators or freezers. Here’s what to look for:

Affected Products From Walmart 

• 12-ounce clear plastic tray packages labeled “Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce”
• “Best if used by” dates Sept. 22, 2025, Sept. 24, 2025, Sept. 25, 2025, Sept. 29, 2025, Sept. 30, 2025, and Oct. 01, 2025.
• Establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• Shipped to Walmart locations nationwide.

View labels here.

Affected Products From Trader Joe’s

• 16-ounce plastic tray packages labeled “Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo”
• “Best if used by” dates Sept. 20, 2025, Sept. 24, 2025, or Sept. 27, 2025, printed on the front label of the packaging.
• Establishment number “P-45288” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• Sold at Trader Joe’s stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.

View labels here.

What To Do if You Have the Affected Products

Anyone who has purchased these products is urged not to consume them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. The CDC recommends cleaning any surfaces that may have touched the affected foods.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and more, and is sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is especially harmful to pregnant individuals, the elderly, and those who have weakened immune systems. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience these symptoms after consuming the affected foods.

Questions regarding the public health alert can be directed to Nate’s Fine Foods at 916-677-7303 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST Monday through Friday. Additionally, consumers can follow the CDC’s investigation into this deadly outbreak on its website.