Two more people have died and seven more have been sickened after eating ready-made pasta meals sold at Kroger and Trader Joe’s stores.
The CDC revealed the new cases in an update Thursday, making the total affected in the outbreak 27 illnesses, 25 hospitalizations and six deaths across 18 states. One pregnancy-related loss has also been reported.
All the patients were sickened after eating pasta ready-meals that used linguine, fettucine, penne or other pastas supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods LLC, based in Roseville, California.
Tests revealed that the pasta was contaminated with listeria, a potentially deadly pathogen that is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and seniors.
The pasta was distributed to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads that were sold under a variety of names, including Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls and Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine.
In September, Nate’s Fine Foods LLC ordered a recall of more than 245,000lbs of its pasta over the contamination.
CDC investigators suspect there are many more cases in the outbreak that have not yet been reported.
The first patient in the outbreak was detected in August last year, but the CDC only linked it to pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods in September this year amid further reports of people falling sick.
Testing revealed the pasta was contaminated with listeria, a potentially deadly pathogen that is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and seniors (stock image)
This was done via testing, which showed that the same strain of listeria found in the patients was also present in the pasta linked to another deadly outbreak.
FreshRealm, a San Clemente, California, company that used Nate’s pasta in its prepared meals, confirmed the genetic match between the samples and the ongoing outbreak.
In addition to Scott & Jon’s and Marketside products, others include those by Giant Eagle, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Alberstons and Home Chef.
CDC investigators revealed the new fatalities and cases this week, saying one death each was reported in Hawaii and Oregon.
No further details were revealed about the patients, including their names, ages, and any underlying conditions they may have.
Overall, the CDC says patients sickened in the outbreak are 74 years old on average, with an age range from four to 92 years old.
More than two thirds are female, while three-quarters are from a white ethnic background.
It was not clear how the pasta became contaminated, but experts said it was possible that the pasta picked up the bacteria after coming into contact with unsanitized machinery in a production facility.
Several national grocery stores have recalled dozens of products made with the affected pasta.
The pasta was distributed to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads that were sold under a variety of names, including Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine.
The pasta was distributed to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads that were sold under a variety of names, including Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls
Customers are being advised to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled foods and throw them out or return them to stores for a full refund. As well as Walmart and Trader Joe’s, the foods were also sold in Sprouts, Kroger and Albertsons.
A full list of the pasta ready-meals being recalled is available on the FDA website.
A spokesperson for Nate’s Fine Foods said in a statement in late September: ‘Our top priority is ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy our products, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps until this matter is resolved.
‘Nate’s Fine Foods sincerely apologizes for the concern this may cause.’
The spokesperson added: ‘We remain fully committed to transparency and to taking every necessary step to protect the health and trust of our consumers.’
In the outbreak, fatalities have been reported across six states, also including Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Utah.
States that have reported sicknesses are: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the US every year, estimates suggest, but is a serious infection, with an estimated 1,000 patients hospitalized and about 170 dying from the disease annually.
Listeria, also called Listeriosis when it causes disease, is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.
It can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive refrigeration and other food preservation measures.
Many foods can harbor the bug, but it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as pre-packed sandwiches. Cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish, including sushi and pre-cut fruit, are also a risk.
It is a particularly serious infection among children under five and older adults, who have weaker immune systems and are less able to fight off the infection.
It is also serious for pregnant women, with a listeria infection raising the risk of them suffering from a stillbirth or miscarriage.
