The ongoing recalled pasta meals listeria investigation continues to widen across the United States as several major food producers have expanded their voluntary recalls following new testing results. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working jointly with manufacturers to identify the full range of ready-to-eat pasta meals potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
What began as a limited recall in late October 2025 has now evolved into a multi-state food safety warning affecting thousands of consumers nationwide.
How the Recall Began
The first recall notice was issued on October 30, 2025, when Bacio Foods, a Pennsylvania-based producer of refrigerated ready-to-eat pasta meals, pulled an initial batch of chicken Alfredo, lasagna, and macaroni dishes from stores after state inspectors detected traces of Listeria monocytogenes during routine sampling.
Follow-up testing by FSIS confirmed the contamination, prompting the company to expand the recall to more than 24,000 pounds of product. Within days, other brands that source from the same production facility—such as Chef’s Table Meals and MarketFresh Kitchen—also initiated recalls as a precautionary measure.
So far, no illnesses have been confirmed, but public health officials are urging consumers to remain alert as additional testing continues.
Details of the Recalled Pasta Meals
The affected products were sold nationwide through grocery chains including Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Meijer, as well as through several online grocery delivery services. The pasta dishes were shipped refrigerated and packaged in clear plastic containers ranging from 16 to 32 ounces, with “Use By” dates between November 10 and November 25, 2025.
Consumers can identify the recalled pasta meals by checking for the following details printed on the packaging:
| Product Name | Net Weight | Establishment Number | Use By Date Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacio Kitchen Chicken Alfredo Pasta | 16 oz | EST. 48673 | 11/10–11/25/25 |
| Bacio Kitchen Beef Lasagna | 32 oz | EST. 48673 | 11/10–11/25/25 |
| Chef’s Table Chicken Parmesan Pasta | 24 oz | EST. 48673 | 11/10–11/25/25 |
| MarketFresh Three-Cheese Tortellini | 20 oz | EST. 48673 | 11/10–11/25/25 |
| HomeBistro Macaroni & Cheese | 16 oz | EST. 48673 | 11/10–11/25/25 |
The FSIS notes that additional products could be added as trace-back investigations continue through early November.
What Consumers Need to Know About Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis. It thrives in cool, moist environments—making refrigerated ready-to-eat foods especially vulnerable. Unlike many bacteria, Listeria can grow even at refrigerator temperatures, meaning that contaminated food may appear, smell, and taste normal.
While most healthy adults experience only mild flu-like symptoms, Listeria infections can be life-threatening for individuals with weakened immune systems, including:
- Pregnant women and newborns
- Adults over 65
- People undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments
Symptoms of listeriosis can appear within days or up to two months after eating contaminated food. They include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and, in severe cases, neurological complications or miscarriage.
No Reported Illnesses — But Serious Precautions Urged
As of November 3, 2025, neither FSIS nor the CDC has confirmed any listeriosis cases linked to the recalled pasta meals. However, both agencies stress that early awareness and quick consumer response are essential.
Health departments in several states—including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, and California—are currently conducting enhanced surveillance to track potential illness reports. Consumers who suspect they may have consumed affected meals and experience symptoms are urged to contact a healthcare provider immediately and report the exposure to local health officials.
FSIS and FDA Response
The joint recall investigation involves traceability reviews, facility inspections, and product testing across multiple supply chain points. Preliminary findings suggest that condensation and poor sanitation controls near a refrigeration line in Bacio Foods’ main facility may have allowed Listeria growth on stainless steel surfaces.
The company voluntarily halted production and began an extensive cleaning process under federal supervision. FSIS inspectors remain on-site to monitor the effectiveness of the corrective actions before approving a restart of operations.
Both the FSIS and FDA reaffirmed their commitment to transparency during food recalls. Updated recall lists, product photos, and instructions are being published daily on official recall pages and through social media platforms to ensure timely communication with the public.
Retailers and Food Delivery Services Respond
Major U.S. retailers acted quickly once the recall was issued. Chains such as Walmart, Target, Costco, and Kroger posted customer notifications at store entrances, online portals, and mobile apps. Many have also implemented automatic refund systems for customers who purchased affected items using loyalty accounts.
Food delivery companies like Instacart, DoorDash Grocery, and Amazon Fresh are also cooperating by notifying customers directly if they purchased any of the recalled meals between October 15 and November 2, 2025.
Some restaurants and institutional kitchens have paused orders for similar pasta meal products sourced from Bacio Foods until they receive confirmation that all safety issues have been resolved.
Understanding the Recall Classifications
The FSIS classifies this as a Class I recall—the highest level—indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences.
In the U.S., food recalls are categorized as follows:
| Class | Risk Level | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | High | Product may cause serious illness or death |
| Class II | Moderate | Product may cause temporary or reversible illness |
| Class III | Low | Product unlikely to cause health problems |
The Class I designation underscores the importance of immediate consumer action.
Food Safety Tips for Consumers
The current recalled pasta meals listeria event highlights the importance of maintaining strong food-safety habits at home. The FSIS and CDC recommend the following precautions for all households:
- Refrigerate promptly: Keep food below 40°F to slow bacterial growth.
- Clean thoroughly: Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water after handling refrigerated foods.
- Separate foods: Avoid cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat meals.
- Check labels often: Review expiration dates and lot numbers before consumption.
- Stay informed: Register for official food recall alerts through FoodSafety.gov.
Even though no illnesses have been reported yet, these practices reduce the risk of accidental exposure to harmful pathogens.
Public and Industry Reactions
News of the recall spread quickly on social media, where consumers expressed both concern and gratitude for the transparency of the recall process. Food safety experts applauded the speed at which FSIS and Bacio Foods responded, noting that proactive recall management can save lives and restore public confidence.
Meanwhile, food manufacturing associations are calling for more frequent facility audits and stricter environmental testing protocols. Industry analysts predict that recalls like this could lead to an increased investment in automation and microbial detection technology within the food production sector.
In a public statement, Bacio Foods’ spokesperson said the company “deeply regrets the disruption caused to customers and retail partners” and that “safety remains our top priority.” They confirmed that all affected batches have been isolated and destroyed under FSIS supervision.
Wider Context: A Year of Food Recalls
The recalled pasta meals listeria case follows several other notable food recalls in 2025. Earlier this year, contamination concerns led to the recall of frozen vegetables, soft cheeses, and prepackaged sandwiches.
Foodborne pathogens, including Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, remain ongoing challenges for regulators and manufacturers. The FDA’s modernization initiatives, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) updates, aim to strengthen traceability, improve testing, and ensure faster recall communication across the supply chain.
What Comes Next
The FSIS is continuing environmental monitoring at the affected facility and collaborating with state health agencies to verify that no additional contaminated batches entered distribution. Once Bacio Foods completes its safety upgrades, federal inspectors will conduct a verification audit before allowing operations to resume.
In the meantime, the FDA has launched an outreach campaign urging food producers to evaluate their own cold-storage systems, emphasizing that even minor condensation leaks or improper cleaning schedules can lead to contamination events like this.
For consumers, officials stress that awareness and vigilance are key. While this recall is currently precautionary, listeria infections can have delayed onset periods, meaning continued caution is warranted in the coming weeks.
As the recalled pasta meals listeria investigation unfolds, consumers are urged to check their homes, stay alert for new updates, and share information with friends and family. Staying informed today can prevent illness tomorrow — have you checked your fridge yet?