Health Advisory: 2025 Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals
Oct. 31, 2025
This is a Provider Alert from the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) Office of Infectious Disease and the Snohomish County Health Department. WA DOH is requesting that providers remain alert for cases of Listeria monocytogenes due to:
1. A multi-state Listeria outbreak, and
2. A whole genome sequencing linked case identified in Snohomish County
Current Situation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections occurring since August 2024 linked to prepared meals (frozen and ready-to-eat) containing pasta. The recalled products were sold at retailers nationwide. This investigation is ongoing, please see the CDC and FDA websites for the most up-to-date information.
As of Oct. 31, 2025, one Washington resident has been included in this Outbreak. The case resides in Snohomish County.
• CDC Food Safety Alert: Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals | Listeria Infection | CDC
Washington State Quick Facts
• Cases: 1
• Hospitalizations: 1
• Deaths: 0
• Status: Ongoing
• Recall: Yes
Cases by County of Residence
County: Snohomish
Cases: 1
Total Cases: 1
Actions Requested:
• Report any cases of Listeria to your local public health jurisdiction
• Consider Listeria on your differential for any patients with signs or symptoms of Listeria infection
• Be aware of and follow updates on the ongoing national outbreak
• Do not sell or serve recalled supplement shakes
• Follow FDA's safe handling and cleaning advice if you sold or served recalled products
Background:
Listeria bacteria are found in the environment and can spread from contaminated food to surfaces. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator for several days. The bacteria are easily killed by heating food to a high temperature (165°F).
Although healthy, non-pregnant individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes is especially harmful to people who are 65 years or older, people with a weakened immune system, and women who are pregnant.
To prevent Listeriosis infection:
- Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
- Thoroughly cook raw meat, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
- Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
- Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
- Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
Resources:
Outbreak-Specific Resources
• WA DOH Food Recalls: Food Recalls and Safety Alerts | Washington State Department of Health
• WA DOH Press Release: 2025 Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals | Washington State Department of Health
• CDC Food Safety Alert: Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals
• FDA Outbreak Investigation: Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Prepared Pasta Meals (June 2025) | FDA
• FDA Recall: 2025 Recalls of Prepared Pasta Meals (Frozen and Ready-To-Eat) Due to Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination | FDA
Additional Resources:
• Facts about listeriosis (FDA)
Contact:
To report suspected cases or for any other questions, please contact:
Snohomish County Health Department
425-339-3503
shd-cdquestions@co.snohomish.wa.us
Message categories
• Health Alert: High-importance information about a public health incident. Warrants immediate action.
• Health Advisory: Important information about a potential or ongoing public health incident. May not
require immediate action.
• Health Update: Updates about an ongoing public health incident. Immediate action not required.