FSIS issues health alert for ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart over possible listeria contamination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Friday issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Officials said the alert will be updated as the investigation continues and warned consumers to check back frequently because additional products may be added.
The alert covers 12-ounce clear plastic trays labeled “MARKETSIDE LINGUINE WITH BEEF MEATBALLS & MARINARA SAUCE” with “best if used by” dates Sep. 22, 2025; Sep. 24, 2025; Sep. 25, 2025; Sep. 29, 2025; Sep. 30, 2025; and Oct. 1, 2025. The product bears establishment number “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection and was shipped nationwide to Walmart stores, FSIS said.
According to the agency, the producing company collected samples of the FDA-regulated, pre-cooked linguine used in the meals as part of an ongoing investigation into a listeria outbreak linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The linguine tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes; additional testing is underway to determine whether it matches the outbreak strain. FSIS previously issued a recall notice tied to that outbreak in June and continues to coordinate with the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state health officials.
FSIS said it is concerned the product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Do not eat the product. Discard it or return it to the place of purchase.
Listeria infection can be serious, particularly for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant people and their newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. Pregnant people may experience miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or severe infection in newborns. Anyone in a higher-risk group who develops flu-like symptoms within two months of eating a potentially contaminated product should seek medical care and tell their provider about the exposure. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
Consumers with questions about the alert can contact Nate’s Fine Foods at 916-677-7303 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PT). For general food safety questions, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov. To report a problem with a meat, poultry or egg product, use the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
