Two additional fatalities and seven new illness cases have emerged following the consumption of pre-packaged pasta dishes available at Kroger and Trader Joe’s outlets.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an update on Thursday, reporting a total of 27 cases linked to the outbreak. This includes 25 hospitalizations and six deaths across 18 states, with one incident involving a pregnancy-related loss.

Those affected had consumed ready-made pasta meals featuring linguine, fettuccine, penne, or similar pastas sourced from Nate’s Fine Foods LLC, located in Roseville, California.

Investigations found the pasta to be tainted with listeria, a dangerous bacterium posing significant risks to pregnant individuals and the elderly.

The contaminated pasta was supplied to major manufacturers of ready-to-eat meals and pasta salads, marketed under various labels such as Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls and Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine.

In response to the listeria contamination, Nate’s Fine Foods LLC initiated a recall in September, withdrawing over 245,000 pounds of pasta from the market.

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.