USDA issues health warning for Walmart heat-and-eat pasta meals over link to deadly listeria outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Thursday issued a public health alert over precooked linguine and meatballs sold at Walmart that may be contaminated with listeria. 

The product is a 2-ounce clear plastic tray package labeled “Marketside linguine with beef meatballs and marinara sauce” with “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. 

Anyone with the product in their freezer should throw it out or return it to the store. 

The linguine specifically may be linked to a listeria outbreak involving chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals. 

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A test of the linguine by the company in relation to the listeria outbreak investigation came out positive for the bacteria. 

A recall notice of the chicken fettuccine packages linked to the outbreak was issued in June.

Listeria can cause listeriosis, whose symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. 

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It mainly affects older people, those who are immunocompromised, pregnant women and newborns. 

In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn and older adults can get a life-threatening infection. 

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics, and anyone who gets flu-like symptoms within two months of a possible infection should see a doctor.