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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert regarding possible listeria contamination in ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart. The affected product, "Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce," comes in 12-ounce clear plastic trays and was distributed nationwide. The USDA advises consumers to either discard the product or return it to the store.
The alert follows an investigation into a listeria outbreak linked to chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals, where the same linguine pasta tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacterium, can lead to severe health issues, especially in older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is conducting further tests to determine if the listeria strain is genetically related to the outbreak. The agency urges consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the product, which has "best if used by" dates ranging from September 22 to October 1, 2025.
Nate’s Fine Foods, based in Roseville, California, supplies the pasta. Consumers with questions can contact Nate’s Fine Foods or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline. Fox Business reports that the linguine was linked to a previous recall in June, which resulted in three deaths and 16 hospitalizations.