After death in Utah linked to Listeria, health officials issue alert for ready-to-eat pasta meals

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has issued a health alert after a Utahn died of listeria. The listeria was linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s.

In a press release, the UDAF said these ready-to-eat pasta meals may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. They’ve caused 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations and four deaths nationally, including one in Utah. It said the actual number of illnesses may be higher, “as many cases may go unreported.”

The UDAF encourages consumers to check their refrigerators for and dispose of the following products:

• Walmart: 12 ounces Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce with “best by” dates Sept. 22, 2025, Sept. 24, 2025, Sept. 29, 2025, Sept. 30, 2025 and Oct. 1, 2025. This product has the establishment numbers “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718.”

• Trader Joe’s: 16 ounces Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo with “best if used by” dates 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, and 9/27/2025. This product has the establishment number “P- 45288.”

According to the UDAF, illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes can include symptoms like fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. The department said symptoms typically start within two weeks of eating contaminated food; however, they may start the same day or take as long as 10 weeks to take effect.

The UDAF said anyone who is experiencing symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should contact a doctor and tell them about the recalled food.

Related: Trader Joe’s consumers warned about possible listeria contamination

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