Listeria Outbreak Linked to Pre-Cooked Pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods — What You Should Know

A serious multistate outbreak of Listeriosis (caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes) has been traced to pre-cooked pasta manufactured by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., of Roseville, California.  The pasta was used as an ingredient in ready-to-eat meals and deli pasta salads sold nationwide. These products have been recalled, and the outbreak has resulted in hospitalizations and deaths.

What Happened

• According to the investigation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the ingredient pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods was found to test positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
• Nate’s Fine Foods issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of pre-cooked pasta (including fettuccine, linguine, farfalle) after a sample collected and tested by a customer (FreshRealm, Inc.) tested positive.
• The recall covers approximately 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta ingredients used in multiple meal products.
• As of recent reporting, the outbreak has been linked to at least six deaths and 27 reported illnesses across 18 states.
• One illness involved a pregnant individual resulting in fetal loss.

Products and Risk

• The pasta ingredient from Nate’s was not sold directly to consumers, but rather used in ready-to-eat meals and deli salads by other brands.
• Affected ready-to-eat foods include meals branded by large grocers and national chains, using pasta with “best-by” dates and lot codes falling within recall scope.
• Because Listeria can grow in refrigerated environments and may survive in cold storage, even properly chilled products may pose risk if contaminated.

Who Is At Risk

• Listeriosis poses the greatest risk to pregnant women (including unborn or newborn children), adults age 65 or older, and individuals with weakened immune systems (due to illness, transplant, chemotherapy, etc.).
• Symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea), and in more serious cases headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.
• If you consumed one of the recalled products and develop any of these symptoms, especially if you are in a higher-risk category, you should seek medical attention promptly.

What You Should Do

1. Check your pantry/fridge/deli purchases. If you have purchased or consumed a ready-to-eat pasta meal or salad containing pasta between the recalled dates and lot codes, assume possible exposure.
2. Do not eat the product. Either discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
3. Clean any storage or preparation surfaces. Because Listeria can cross-contaminate, clean and sanitize containers, refrigerator shelving, and utensils that contacted the product.
4. Monitor for symptoms. If you become ill or believe you may have ingested a contaminated product, provide your healthcare provider with as much information as possible (product name, date consumed, lot number if available).
5. Preserve evidence and document your experience. Keep any remaining product (if safe to do so), packaging, receipts, photographs, hospital/doctor records, and note onset of symptoms/timeline.

Why Legal Representation Matters

When serious harm results — hospitalization, pregnancy loss, permanent injury or death — it may indicate failures in the manufacturing, distribution or supply-chain process. In this case:

• A manufacturer (Nate’s Fine Foods) supplied contaminated ingredient pasta; the supplier of ready-to-eat meals (e.g., FreshRealm) allegedly produced meals that were found to contain the outbreak strain.
• Victims may have rights to compensation, including medical costs, lost income, pain & suffering, or wrongful death claims.
• A law firm experienced in foodborne illness and product-liability cases — like Dreyer Boyajian LLP — can:
  • Investigate the supply chain and identify all liable parties
  • Help preserve critical evidence (packaging, lot codes, medical records)
  • Pursue claims on behalf of individuals or families who suffered serious harm
  • Navigate the complexities of multi-state litigation and recall-driven cases

Why Choose Dreyer Boyajian LLP

At Dreyer Boyajian LLP, our team:

• Has deep experience in large-scale food-contamination, product-liability and mass-tort litigation
• Understands the science of foodborne illnesses and how to deploy expert witnesses (microbiology, epidemiology, food-safety engineering)
• Focuses on clients — individuals and families — who have suffered serious harm, ensuring their stories and needs are heard
• Works to maximize compensation and justice while enabling our clients to focus on recovery

Contact Us

If you or a loved one consumed a recalled product linked to this outbreak and experienced illness — especially if you are in a high-risk group or suffered significant harm — please contact Dreyer Boyajian LLP for a free consultation.