Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo was named in a federal public health alert over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The 16-oz. plastic tray used pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc.
USDA FSIS updated its alert on September 26, 2025 to add the tray, and the FDA declared the outbreak over on February 12, 2026. No lawsuit, class action or MDL has been filed as of October 12, 2026.
Listeria infection can be serious, and the linked outbreak led to hospitalizations and deaths, including one pregnancy-associated illness that ended in fetal loss.
- Case or litigation name: No filed case (Listeria pasta meals outbreak)
- Defendants: None named
- Court and docket number, when available: No filed case
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: No filing yet
- Main allegations: Possible Listeria contamination in prepared pasta meals, per an FSIS public health alert; no complaint filed
- Products or people involved: Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo, 16-oz. plastic trays; people infected in the Nate’s Fine Foods pasta meals Listeria outbreak
Table Of Contents
Latest Trader Joe’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo Lawsuit Updates
February 12, 2026: Outbreak Declared Over
The FDA, USDA FSIS and CDC declared the outbreak over [1]. A total of 28 people in 19 states were infected with the outbreak strain, as of February 11, 2026.
Of those, 27 were hospitalized and 7 died. One pregnancy-associated illness resulted in a fetal loss. The FDA said its outbreak investigation was complete.
October 30, 2025: FDA Reports 27 Illnesses
The FDA reported 27 illnesses in 18 states. Of 26 people with information available, 25 were hospitalized and 6 died.
That was 7 new illnesses and 2 more deaths since the CDC count of September 25, 2025. The outbreak is linked to pasta produced by Nate’s Fine Foods, the FDA says.
September 30, 2025: Nate’s Fine Foods Expands Pasta Recall
Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. expanded its pasta recall after a linguine sample tested by FreshRealm was positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
On September 27, 2025, whole genome sequencing matched the strain in FreshRealm’s recalled chicken alfredo meals. FreshRealm had recalled chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Kroger and Walmart on June 17, 2025.
September 26, 2025: FSIS Adds Trader Joe’s Tray to Alert
USDA FSIS updated its public health alert to add 16-oz. plastic tray packages labeled Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo.
The trays were listed as possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The alert named best-by dates of 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025 and 9/27/2025 for the trays.
September 25, 2025: Nate’s Fine Foods Recalls Pasta
Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. recalled certain lots of pre-cooked pasta. The CDC then counted 20 illnesses in 15 states, 19 hospitalizations and 4 deaths.
What Is Listeria?
According to Mayo Clinic, as reported by TODAY, Listeria is a bacteria found in water, soil and animal feces. It can contaminate different types of foods and survive refrigeration [2].
An infection caused by ingesting listeria is called listeriosis. The outbreak tied to the Trader Joe’s tray involved Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria named in the FSIS alert.
Who May Be Affected?
The FSIS alert covers the 16-oz. trays of this Trader Joe’s pasta meal. Each tray carries one of these best-by dates:
- 9/20/2025
- 9/24/2025
- 9/27/2025
- 9/28/2025
- 10/01/2025
- 10/03/2025
- 10/05/2025
- 10/08/2025
- 10/10/2025
The FDA says Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant women and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. The recalled products should no longer be available for sale.
Whether you can bring a claim depends on your own facts. Only an individual legal review of your situation can answer that question.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The FDA says mild symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe cases may cause headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Food Safety News reported on February 13, 2026 that patients ranged in age from 4 to 92 years old [3].
Recall and Regulatory Background
A public health alert is not a recall, and neither one proves a company is liable. The FDA says anyone who bought or received affected meals should check their refrigerators and freezers. They should not eat or serve them.
Evidence to Preserve
If you became ill after eating the product, keep these items:
- The product packaging, tray, label and best-by date.
- The receipt, loyalty-card record or card statement showing the purchase.
- Photographs of the product and its lot or date codes.
- Medical records, test results and hospital bills.
- A log of your symptoms with dates.
- Messages with the store or the company.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law and differ from state to state. They depend on where you live and when the illness and the diagnosis happened. In some states the clock starts at diagnosis.
Waiting too long can end a claim, however strong the facts look. Anyone weighing a claim should speak with a lawyer soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Symptoms of Listeriosis?
The symptoms of listeriosis can start mild and become severe. If you have symptoms after eating a possibly contaminated product, contact your health care provider to report them and receive care.
How Long After Eating Trader Joe’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo Do Symptoms Start?
Symptoms after eating Trader Joe’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food. They may start the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, according to the FDA.
When Did the Pasta Meals Listeria Outbreak Begin?
The pasta meals Listeria outbreak began in August 2024, when the first patient became ill, according to CDC investigators. CDC first announced the outbreak on June 18, 2025. Food Safety News reported both points.
Where Can I Report an Illness After Eating a Contaminated Food?
To report an illness after eating a contaminated food, visit FDA Industry and Consumer Assistance. You can also call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). The FDA gives this contact for people who become ill after eating a recalled or affected meal.
Is There a Trader Joe’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo Lawsuit?
There is no Trader Joe’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo lawsuit as of October 12, 2026. The only agency actions are the FSIS public health alert and the Nate’s Fine Foods pasta recall, and the FDA says the last illness began on November 16, 2025.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-prepared-pasta-meals-june-2025
- https://www.today.com/health/recall/listeria-outbreak-recall-walmart-trader-joes-rcna234673
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/02/listeria-outbreak-traced-to-pasta-meals-is-over/