Nationwide Listeria outbreak: 6 dead and 27 hospitalized, dozens of products recalled

The listeria outbreak has resulted in six deaths and 27 hospitalizations, with at-risk groups including pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. While some products have been recalled, experts assure that the general food supply remains safe.

The recent listeria outbreak has become a growing concern across the nation, with the number of hospitalizations climbing.

6 people have died, and 27 more are currently hospitalized for the dangerous infection.

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Listeria, a bacterium that can lead to severe illness, poses the greatest threat to certain high-risk groups, including pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 and above, and those with weakened immune systems.

Around the Triangle, some recalled products linked to the outbreak include Trader Joe's Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Pasta.

Despite the recalls, Wake County Department of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Joel Lutterman offered reassurance that the general risk of contracting listeria from food available in restaurants and supermarkets remains very low.

“The likelihood of getting listeria by eating regular food that is available in restaurants and supermarkets is very, very low," said Lutterman. "So that part is good, and that is a testament to our general food supply and how safe and generally is.”

Dr. Abhi Mehrotra from the UNC Department of Emergency Medicine points out that outbreaks like this underscore the critical role of public health departments nationwide.

“When you have limited resources, either from cutting funding or a government shutdown, that can make an impact," said Mehrotra.

The outbreak has sparked a renewed awareness of the essential work carried out by public health professionals, emphasizing the need for continued support and resources.

"We're in a little bit of a crisis situation to do with funding and people second-guessing and questioning a lot of what we do and why we're doing it,:" said Dr. Lutterman. "It takes just a little bit of a crisis for people to recognize, ah-ha I think someone has got our backs."

The affected pasta has been used in a variety of prepared meals and deli salads sold under various brands. Several products have been recalled:

32.8-ounce tray packages of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce.
White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese with a best-by date of June 27 or prior.
Sprouts Farmers Market Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad with use-by dates of October 10 to October 29.
Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad with expiration dates from September 30 through October 7.
Kroger stores deli bowtie and penne pasta salads sold August 29 through October 2.Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6-oz with best-if-used-by dates of March 12, 2027, March 13, 2027, March 13, 2027 and March 17, 2027.
16-ounce plastic tray packages of Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo with best-if-used-by dates of September 20, September 24, September 27, September 28, October 1, October 3, October 5, October 8 and October 10.
Albertsons store-made deli pasta salads sold from September 8 to October 4.Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz. with best-if-used-by dates of September 22, September 24, September 25, September 29, September 30 and October 1.
Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3-oz with best-by dates of June 26 or prior and 32.8-oz with best-by dates of June 27 or prior.
Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5-oz with best-by dates of June 19 or prior.