Kroger Pasta Salad Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Kroger recalled two deli pasta salads, Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad, over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The Kroger Co. announced the voluntary recall on October 4, 2025. The salads were sold from deli cases in 1,860 stores in 28 states. Customers who bought them should not eat them and should return them for a refund or replacement. Kroger’s notice reported no illness for these salads. FDA’s site says the recall has been completed and FDA has terminated this recall. A separate CDC outbreak of Listeria, tied to prepared pasta meals, involved pasta from the same supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods.

Latest Kroger Pasta Salad Recall Updates

March 6, 2026: FDA Lists Both Kroger Recalls as Terminated

The enforcement report from FDA lists both Kroger deli pasta salad recalls with the status Terminated and a termination date of March 6, 2026 [1]. The bowtie recall is H-0094-2026 and the penne recall is H-0095-2026. Both actions were listed as voluntary and firm initiated. Kroger’s own notice on FDA’s site uses matching wording and calls the recall completed and terminated.

February 12, 2026: CDC Declares the Pasta Meals Outbreak Over

CDC declared the Listeria outbreak tied to prepared pasta meals over. CDC’s final update gave a count of 28 people in 19 states, with 27 hospitalized and 7 deaths [2]. Samples from sick people were collected from August 1, 2024 to November 16, 2025. CDC said the true number of sick people was likely higher and that recalled foods are no longer available for sale.

October 30, 2025: FDA and CDC Update Outbreak Counts

FDA’s outbreak page says FDA and CDC updated the pasta meals outbreak count to 27 people in 18 states [3]. That added 7 new illnesses from 3 states since September 25, 2025. The update reported 25 of 26 hospitalized and 6 deaths. The agencies also told consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled foods. The same page now says FDA’s outbreak investigation has ended.

October 17, 2025: FDA Classifies the Kroger Recall as Class I

FDA classified the Kroger deli pasta salad recall as Class I in its enforcement report. The classification applies to both recall numbers, H-0094-2026 and H-0095-2026. The same report lists 5,567.4 lbs. of bowtie salad and 25,792 lbs. of penne salad. It names The Kroger Co. of Cincinnati, OH as the recalling firm and gives a report date of October 29, 2025.

October 4, 2025: Kroger Announces the Deli Pasta Salad Recall

The Kroger Co. announced a voluntary recall of its bowtie and penne deli pasta salads, according to FDA’s company announcement [4]. FDA posted the announcement the same day. Kroger removed the items from store shelves. The company said the recall followed a supplier recall of a pasta ingredient. FDA titled the notice “Kroger Voluntarily Recalls Two Varieties of Deli Pasta Salads Because of Possible Health Risk.”

October 1, 2025: Supplier Reports More Recalled Pasta to Kroger

Fresh Creative Foods notified Kroger again, according to Kroger’s notice. It said its pasta supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods, was recalling additional dates of the bowtie pasta as well as penne pasta items over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Nate’s Fine Foods made the kit’s pasta ingredient, and Fresh Creative Foods supplied the salad kit. This second notice reached Kroger before its own announcement.

September 26, 2025: Supplier Tells Kroger About Pasta Recall

Fresh Creative Foods told the Kroger Family of Stores that Nate’s Fine Foods had recalled its bowtie pasta because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. That first notice covered bowtie pasta. The recall Nate’s Fine Foods started affected 24 Smith’s stores in AZ, NM and NV, according to Kroger’s notice. FDA’s enforcement report gives this date as the recall initiation date.

September 25, 2025: Pasta Maker Recalls Certain Lots

Nate’s Fine Foods, the pasta supplier, recalled certain lots of pre-cooked pasta. FDA’s outbreak page says a linguine sample tested by FreshRealm was positive for Listeria monocytogenes. As of September 25, 2025, 20 people infected with the outbreak strain had been reported from 15 states. Those cases belong to the pasta meals outbreak. They are not a count for the Kroger deli salads.

What Is Listeriosis?

According to CDC, Listeria are bacteria (germs) that can contaminate many foods. People who eat those foods can get infected with the bacteria [5]. CDC calls Listeria infection, or listeriosis, rare but serious.

Which Kroger Pasta Salads Are Affected?

Two Kroger deli pasta salads are affected, and Kroger’s notice lists each one by UPC and sale dates:

• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad, UPC 217573-10000, sold at the deli service counter from September 6, 2025 through October 2, 2025.
• Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad, UPC 217573-20000, Grab-n-Go packages sold in the deli department from September 6, 2025 through October 2, 2025.
• Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad, UPC 227573-10000, listed for the deli service counter and Grab-n-Go packages, sold August 29, 2025 through October 2, 2025.

The items were random weight. Kroger’s notice also links a complete list of product label images, so you can compare the labels with what you bought.

Why Were the Kroger Pasta Salads Recalled?

Kroger recalled the two deli pasta salads because pasta from a supplier was recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Fresh Creative Foods, the salad kit supplier, told Kroger. Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, CA made the pasta. FDA’s enforcement report states the reason. It reads: “Store-made deli items contain a pasta ingredient that was recalled due to potential Listeria monocytogenes.” Kroger’s notice calls the contamination possible. FDA says Nate’s Fine Foods does not sell affected products direct to retail. Kroger’s notice also says Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

Kroger’s notice said no reports of illness or injury had been reported to date for these salads. That statement is dated October 4, 2025. CDC’s February 12, 2026 update covers a separate Listeria outbreak tied to prepared meals with pasta. It did not name the Kroger deli salads as a source of illness. Of 13 people interviewed, 7 reported eating precooked meals. Four of those 7 reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo, bought from the refrigerated section at Walmart and Kroger. Two people also reported deli salads containing pasta, bought at other stores. Reports are not proof that a product caused an illness.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you bought either recalled Kroger deli pasta salad, take these steps:

1. Do not eat the recalled Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad or Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad.
2. Return the salad to a Kroger store for a full refund or replacement.
3. Call Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. ET to 12:00 a.m. ET, and Saturday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. ET to 9:00 p.m. ET.
4. Watch for mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Watch for severe symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
6. If you or a family member has symptoms of listeriosis, contact your health care provider to report them and receive care.
7. To report a complaint or adverse event, visit FDA’s Industry and Consumer Assistance page or call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).

Other Recalls, Warnings, or International Actions

FDA’s outbreak page lists these related recalls, which are separate from the Kroger action:

• Albertsons recalled select store-made deli items with bowtie pasta on September 29, 2025.
• Demers Food Group recalled select Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls on October 1, 2025.
• Giant Eagle recalled Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Indiana on October 3, 2025.
• Sprouts recalled select lots of smoked mozzarella pasta salad on October 9, 2025.
• FreshRealm recalled its pre-made chicken fettuccine alfredo products, sold at Kroger and Walmart, on June 17, 2025.

Legal Options

A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation, and a claim depends on each person’s own facts. The pending MDL report from JPML, dated September 1, 2026, lists no multidistrict litigation over this recall [6]. It also lists none for Nate’s Fine Foods, Fresh Creative Foods or FreshRealm. People who became ill after eating a recalled product can ask Schmidt & Clark for a free case review. You can read more about Listeria infection lawsuits on our site.

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for a foodborne illness claim come from state law, so they vary with where a person lives. The time limit also depends on when the illness and the diagnosis happened. A claim filed after its deadline can end even when the facts are strong. Anyone considering a claim over a recalled food should check with a lawyer promptly to learn which deadline applies to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which States and Stores Got the Recalled Kroger Pasta Salad?

The states and stores that got the recalled Kroger pasta salad included 11 banners. They were Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs and Smith’s. Kroger’s notice lists states from Alaska and Alabama through Washington and West Virginia.

What Are the Symptoms of Listeria from Pasta Salad?

The symptoms of Listeria from pasta salad usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food. FDA says they may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Anyone with symptoms should contact a health care provider.

Is the Kroger Pasta Salad Recall Linked to the Listeria Outbreak?

The Kroger pasta salad recall is linked to the Listeria outbreak through the pasta supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods. Its pasta was an ingredient in FreshRealm beef meatball marinara linguine meals and tested positive for Listeria. The illnesses in that outbreak were tied to prepared meals.

Can I Get a Refund for the Recalled Kroger Pasta Salad?

You can get a refund for the recalled Kroger pasta salad, and Kroger’s notice also offers a replacement. Kroger started a customer recall notification system that alerts customers who may have bought recalled products through register receipt tape messages and email alerts.

Did Nate’s Fine Foods Expand Its Pasta Recall?

Nate’s Fine Foods expanded its pasta recall on September 30, 2025. The expansion covered certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, including fettucine, linguine and farfalle (bowtie). FDA says these products should no longer be available for sale in stores.

Who Is Most at Risk from Listeria?

The people most at risk from Listeria are pregnant women and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems, FDA says. Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

References

1. https://api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=event_id:97738&limit=10
2. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-06-25/investigation.html
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-prepared-pasta-meals-june-2025
4. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kroger-voluntarily-recalls-two-varieties-deli-pasta-salads-because-possible-health-risk
5. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/about/index.html
6. https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-September-1-2026.pdf