6 Now Dead, More Ill In Widespread Listeria Outbreak: What To Know In IL

In recent months, a listeria outbreak has claimed a handful of lives, including at least one in Illinois, after the bacteria was linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals at popular retailers.

Back in September, federal health officials issued a warning to shoppers about ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's. Officials said these meals may be contaminated with listeria and linked to a previous outbreak.

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And now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that outbreak has led to six deaths and 25 hospitalizations in 18 states. In total, 27 cases have been identified, per the CDC, including a pregnancy-associated illness that resulted in fetal loss.

In addition to Illinois, deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported in Hawaii, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

As Patch previously reported, among the items recalled in September due to the outbreak are a "Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo," sold at Trader Joe's grocery stores. The 16-oz. plastic tray packages have "best if used by" dates of Sept. 20, 2025, Sept. 24, 2025, or Sept. 27, 2025, printed on the front label of their packaging, and have the establishment number "P-4528" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

In addition to the Trader Joe's product, federal health officials also included Walmart's "Marketside Linguine With Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce" in their warning. The 12 oz. clear plastic tray packages have "best if used by" dates of Sept. 22, 2025, Sept. 24, 2025, Sept. 25, 2025, Sept. 29, 2025, Sept. 30, 2025, and Oct. 1, 2025. The product also has the establishment number "EST. 50784" or “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

RELATED: Growing Fatal Listeria Outbreak Linked To IL Walmart, Trader Joe’s Products

The CDC recently added two more items to the recall list, both from Nate's Fine Foods Inc. One, a smoked mozzarella pasta, and the other a shrimp scampi with linguini bowl. Both were sold at Sprouts Farmers Market, which has no locations in Illinois.

According to health officials, one of the producing companies collected samples of the pre-cooked pasta used in its product as part of an investigation related to the Listeria outbreak previously linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals.

The test confirmed that the linguine pasta was positive for listeria, officials said. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the Listeria is genetically related to the specific outbreak strain. Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to eat them and to throw away the products or return them to the place of purchase.

Eating food contaminated with Listeria can cause Listeriosis, officials said, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

In pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Serious and sometimes fatal infections can also occur in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics, though health officials said people in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell their health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

To learn more, you can view the public health alert here.

Find the closest Walmart store to you online here, and the nearest Trader Joe's store online here.

Patch Editor Max Bennett contributed to this report.