Walmart Pasta Recall: 5 Critical Information You Need to Know About the Listeria Risk
Complete Walmart Recall List 2025: Frozen Meals, Pasta Dishes, and More
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Walmart recalls pasta meals due to possible Listeria. Learn key facts to protect your health and stay safe in 2025.
Introduction: Why This Recall Matters
Picture this: you open your fridge, grab a pasta meal for a quick dinner, and later discover that it could make you sick. That is the reality many Walmart shoppers are facing in 2025 after news of the Walmart pasta recall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a warning about pasta meals that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
This is not a minor inconvenience. Listeria can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death in vulnerable groups. These include pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Because of this risk, it is essential to understand which products are affected, how the bacteria spread, and the steps you should take. In this article, we explain everything you need to know.
1.What Exactly Happened?
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), part of the USDA, released a public health alert. It covers certain ready-to-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart.
These meals are popular because they save time and effort. However, testing suggested they might contain Listeria.
Although Walmart has not been forced into a full recall, the company has already removed the meals from shelves. It has also urged customers not to eat them. This move highlights the severity of the risk.
The Affected Products
You may be asking yourself which meals are unsafe. The alert specifically names:
- Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce
- Sold in 12-oz trays
- Packaged under the Marketside brand (Walmart’s private label)
- Best By dates: September 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and October 1, 2025
- Inspection numbers: “EST. 50784” or “EST. 47718” printed on the package
If you find this meal in your fridge or freezer, do not eat it. Dispose of it safely or return it to Walmart for a refund.
2.Why Listeria Is a Big Deal
Food contamination occurs frequently, but Listeria is particularly hazardous.
What Is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium found in soil, water, and animals. It can enter food during production and survive in cold environments. As a result, refrigeration alone will not kill it.
Who Is at Risk?
Some groups are more vulnerable than others:
- Pregnant women (risk of miscarriage or stillbirth)
- Infants and newborns
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems (for example, cancer patients)
Symptoms to Watch For
If you ate the recalled pasta, look out for:
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Diarrhea or upset stomach
Because symptoms may appear days or even weeks later, you should remain cautious for up to 30 days.
3.How Walmart Responded
Walmart acted quickly once the alert was issued. The company:
- Pulled the meals from store shelves
- Updated its recall information page
- Advised customers to return or discard the products
- Worked with FSIS and the CDC to trace the issue
Even so, some shoppers only learned about the recall from the news. This shows that recall messages do not always reach customers directly.
4.What To Do If You Bought These Meals
If you purchased these meals, follow these steps:
- Check your fridge and freezer. Look for Marketside Linguine trays with the listed dates and inspection numbers.
- Please do not eat them. Even a small portion could expose you to Listeria.
- Dispose of them safely. Seal the tray in a bag before disposing of it.
- Clean your fridge. Sanitize shelves, plates, or utensils that touched the pasta.
- Monitor your health. If symptoms appear, call your doctor and mention possible Listeria exposure.
- Request a refund. Walmart will honor refunds for recalled items.
Walmart’s Broader Recall List in 2025
The pasta meals are not the only products Walmart recalled this year. For example:
- Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices – pulled due to possible Salmonella
- Ozark Trail 64-oz Stainless Steel Bottles – recalled after lids ejected and caused injuries
- Assorted snacks and bakery items – withdrawn due to undeclared allergens like peanuts and soy
As you can see, recalls are not unusual. Big retailers sell thousands of products, and even with safety checks, some issues often go unnoticed until they are revealed through testing.
6.Why Recalls Are Increasing
Recalls are happening more often. In fact, they are. Here’s why:
- Improved testing: Labs now detect bacteria much earlier.
- Faster reporting: Social media spreads news in minutes.
- Global supply chains: Ingredients come from many countries, which raises contamination risks.
- Consumer demand: Shoppers want transparency, so stores act faster.
More recalls can actually mean better safety systems, not worse.
Real Stories: The Human Side of Listeria
To understand why this recall matters, look at real examples:
A 72-year-old man in Texas was hospitalized after eating contaminated chicken Alfredo linked to the same Listeria strain.
A pregnant woman in California sadly miscarried after consuming Listeria-tainted deli meat.
Back in 2011, a nationwide outbreak tied to cantaloupes caused 33 deaths, making it one of the deadliest foodborne outbreaks in U.S. history.
These examples remind us that recalls are about protecting lives, not just products.
How to Stay Safe as a Shopper
You cannot stop recalls, but you can protect yourself:
- Check recall websites regularly (Walmart, USDA, FDA)
- Sign up for alerts via email or text
- Be careful with ready-to-eat meals since they are more at risk
- Practice food safety at home: wash hands, clean surfaces, and store food properly
- Respect Best By dates for both quality and safety
FAQs
1. Can I cook the recalled pasta to make it safe?
No. Listeria can survive reheating, especially if the food heats unevenly.
2. Will Walmart contact me if I purchased a recalled item?
Sometimes. If you used the Walmart app or loyalty card, you may get a notice. Still, always check recalls yourself.
3. What if I already ate the pasta?
Stay calm. Monitor your health and see a doctor if symptoms develop.
4. Are other Walmart products affected?
Currently, only Marketside pasta meals are included. However, recalls can be expanded, so check for updates.
5. Can I get a refund without packaging?
Yes. Most Walmart stores will issue refunds if you can provide proof of the recall.
Final Takeaway
The Walmart pasta recall serves as a potent reminder that even seemingly simple meals can contain hidden dangers. Listeria is a serious concern, but being informed gives you a significant advantage.
Here’s what to do:
- Check your fridge for Marketside pasta meals.
- Please do not eat them. Dispose of them or return them.
- Watch your health for symptoms.
- Stay updated on recall alerts.
Food safety is not about panic. Instead, it is about preparation and awareness. When in doubt, throw it out. Protecting your health will always be worth it.
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