Recalled Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad.
Recalled Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, sold at Trader Joe's.

The death toll has risen in the ongoing, multi-state listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta products sold at stores, such as Walmart, Kroger and Trader Joe's.

Seven new cases of listeria poisoning, also known as listerosis, have been confirmed in three additional states since the previous investigation update on Sept. 25, increasing the sickness toll during the outbreak to 27 across 18 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This includes two additional deaths, bringing the total of fatalities to six as of Oct. 30.

Of the 27 sickened individuals, 25 were hospitalized, and one associated illness resulted in fetal loss, the FDA reported. The FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating the multistate outbreak.

The outbreak, which the agencies began investigating in June, has been traced back to contaminated precooked pasta sold by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. and used in pasta salads, frozen meals and other deli products sold at several major grocery chains.

In a Sept. 29 statement, Nate's Fine Foods said it initiated a voluntary recall "out of an abundance of caution" and was assisting the investigating health agencies.

"Our top priority is ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy our products, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps until this matter is resolved," the grocer said. "Nate's Fine Foods sincerely apologizes for the concern this may cause. We remain fully committed to transparency and to taking every necessary step to protect the health and trust of our consumers."

Here's the current status of the outbreak, including what products have been recalled.

Pasta products sold at Walmart, Kroger, more grocers linked to listeria outbreak

Ready-to-eat pasta products sold at grocery chains nationwide, many under different brand names, have been recalled in the outbreak. For a full list, check out USA TODAY's previous reporting.

Kroger and Albertson's

  • Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo: Sold in 12.5-ounce tray packages with best-by date of June 19 or prior.
  • Ready Meals Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in several sizes with best-by dates ranging from Sept. 6 to Sept. 29
  • Ready Meals Spinach Bowtie Pasta Salad: Sold in bulk packages with best-by dates from Sept. 16 through Sept. 26.
  • Grilled Chicken & Basil Pasta: Sold in bulk packages with best-by dates from Sept. 18 through Sept. 29, 2025.
  • Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad of various weights sold at deli counters and in Grab-n-Go packages between Aug. 29 and Sept. 2 and sold at several Kroger-owned stores.

Walmart

  • Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce: Sold in 12-ounce clear plastic tray packages with best-by dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 29, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2025.
  • Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine: Sold in 12.3, 12.5 and 32.8-ounce tray packages with best-by dates of June 19, June 26 and June 27, 2025, or prior;

Trader Joe's

  • Trader Joe's Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo: Sold in 16-ounce plastic tray packages with best-by dates of Sept. 20, Sept. 24 and Sept. 27, 2025.

Sprout's

  • Sprout's Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad sold out of Grab & Go deli sections with use-by dates 10/10/25-10/29/25.

Giant Eagle

  • Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad with UPCs 256616000000, 246511000000 and 246512000000, sold starting on Sept. 25.

Other recalled products

  • Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi With Linguine Bowls 9.6-oz with UPC 858175003919 with best-by dates 3/12/2027, 3/13/2027, 3/17/2027 and 3/21/2027. Distributed nationally to wholesale distributors and operators between 9/15/2025 and 9/25/2025.

What to do with recalled pasta meals

Both the CDC and FDA advise returning affected products to the place of purchase for a refund or tossing them in the trash.

Wash and sanitize bowls, cups, storage containers and other surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products. Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling and preparing food, especially raw or uncooked meats and produce.

What are the symptoms of listeria poisoning?

Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.

Per the CDC, symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Loss of balance
  • Convulsions
  • Diarrhea
  • Other gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
  • Death

People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention, according to the CDC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More deaths confirmed in listeria outbreak linked to pasta meals. See recalled items.

Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect