Major Recall Alert: Listeria Risk in Prepared Meals at Kroger and More

Many might assume that pre-packaged pasta dishes are a low-risk choice for avoiding foodborne diseases. Yet, recent events, starting with a fettuccine Alfredo recall in June 2025, have highlighted that even these products are vulnerable to contamination. There have been four linked recalls due to a serious listeria outbreak.

Kroger recently issued recalls on October 4, 2025, for two types of ready-to-eat pasta salads: Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad.

Identifying Recalled Pasta Salads

These products were available in the deli sections of 1,860 Kroger stores, under various store brands including Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, and Smith’s.

The recall impacts customers across 28 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.

Here’s how to spot a potentially recalled product in your pantry.

Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad

• Available from September 6 to October 2, 2025
• Offered at deli counters and in pre-packaged sections
• UPCs: 217573-10000 and 217573-20000

Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad

• Available from August 29 to October 2, 2025
• Offered at deli counters and in pre-packaged sections
• UPC: 227573-10000

If you’ve purchased any of the mentioned pasta dishes from Kroger and still have them, it’s advised to dispose of them immediately. If you suspect you’ve consumed a contaminated product, watch for symptoms which may take up to two weeks to manifest.

Essential Information on the Listeria Outbreak

The investigation into this multistate listeria outbreak linked to pasta involves the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of September 25, 2025, twenty people from fifteen states have been infected with the outbreak strain, resulting in nineteen hospitalizations and four deaths.

Listeria contamination can lead to listeriosis, a major infection that poses a higher risk for severe illness in infants, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms in healthy adults typically include fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

A comprehensive list of all related recalls, including the Kroger ones, can be accessed on the FDA’s outbreak investigation page.