Listeria outbreak grows with more deaths, illnesses reported

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Seven more people have become ill and two more have died in an ongoing listeria outbreak linked to prepared pasta meals, according to federal health officials.

As of October 30, 27 people in 18 states have become ill with listeriosis, and 25 of them have been hospitalized. Six people have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which works alongside the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The reported deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Utah. One of the pregnancy-related illnesses resulted in the loss of the fetus.

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However, the number of patients in this outbreak is “likely higher than reported” due to the fact that some people are recovering without medical care and are not tested for listeria.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in several states linked to prepared pasta meals. (Food and Drug Administration)

Federal officials, with assistance from state and local partners, investigated illnesses in a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to prepared meals in March when FSIS first identified the bacteria in a routine sample of Fresh Realm Fettuccine Alfredo.

In September, the CDC reported that FreshRealm discovered a beef linguine marinara meal that tested positive for the same Listeria monocytogenes strain responsible for the current outbreak. While these meals were never distributed to consumers, the company also tested the ingredients used in the product. The pasta tested positive for listeria, the CDC said.

Marketside linguine with beef meatballs and marinara sauce

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in several states linked to prepared pasta meals. (Food and Drug Administration)

Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the bacteria found in the pasta matched the outbreak strain. Companies that used certain quantities of the affected pasta are now recalling prepared foods and meals made with those products, according to the CDC.

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Nate’s Fine Foods Inc., which supplies the affected pasta, has expanded its recall of a certain number of pre-cooked pastas including fettuccine, linguini and farfalle after a sample of linguine pasta tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in several states linked to prepared pasta meals. (Food and Drug Administration)

Nate’s Fine Foods, which does not sell the affected products directly to retailers, is working with the FDA and its customers to determine whether additional recalls are needed.

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Here are the recalls associated with the outbreak so far:

Sprouts Farmers market Pasta Salad with Smoked Mozzarella Cheese
Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Kroger stores remembered pasta salads and pasta salads
Demer’s Food Group Scott & John Shrimp Scampi with Linguine Bowls, 9.6 oz
Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo Plastic Tray Containers 16 oz
Albertsons Stores has recalled delicious pasta salads made in-store
Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce, 12 oz
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine, 12.3 oz
Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5 oz