Pasta Recall Linked to Deadly Listeria: Includes Trader Joe’s, Albertsons Locations Nationwide
If you’ve been leaning on frozen pasta meals for weeknight survival, it’s time to hit pause—and maybe your freezer. A nationwide pasta recall has been issued for ready-to-eat chicken meals linked to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that’s already caused three deaths, 10 hospitalizations, and 14 confirmed infections across 11 states. The meals were sold at major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, making this a full-blown freezer fiasco.
Pasta Recall Due To Listeria
Who would have thought that one of the best pasta meals of all time, fettuccine alfredo, would be the troublemaker behind this chaos? CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation produced the batch of frozen chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. These meals were distributed nationwide under various store brands, meaning your go-to comfort food might be hiding a bacterial surprise. The affected products were produced between April 2024 and September 2025, and the CDC has posted a full list of recalled items here. If you’ve got any of these in your freezer, it’s time to toss them like last week’s leftovers.
Nerd Alert: What Is Listeria and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Let’s get nerdy for a second. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that thrives in cold environments—yes, even your fridge and freezer. We have been told to cook our food thoroughly, and anything that could be harmful will be killed; however, Listeria was built differently. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, Listeria doesn’t mind the chill, which makes it especially sneaky. It can cause serious illness, particularly in pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and in severe cases, convulsions or death. And here’s the kicker: symptoms can take weeks to show up, making it the stealth ninja of foodborne illness.
Where Was It Sold?
This recall hits hard because the meals were sold at some of the biggest names in grocery retail: Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, and more. That means millions of shoppers could be affected. If you’re a fan of quick pasta dinners, now’s the time to check your freezer and your receipts. The USDA has classified this as a Class I recall, which means there’s a reasonable probability that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences or death. Translation: this is not a drill.
How Did This Happen?
The exact source of the contamination hasn’t made its way to the public. Listeria outbreaks often stem from unsanitary conditions in food processing facilities. One tiny lapse in hygiene, and suddenly, your dinner is a biohazard. CJ Foods is currently working with federal agencies to investigate and prevent future outbreaks.
Final Thoughts: Pasta Night Needs a Safety Check
At the end of a busy day, convenience is key, and frozen pasta is an easy, quick, filling meal for all on weeknights. But this recall is a wake-up call that even your most trusted comfort foods can come with hidden risks. So here’s your nerdy PSA: check your freezer, read those lot codes, and maybe opt for fresh pasta until this mess is sorted. Because nothing ruins a cozy dinner faster than a side of Listeria.
