October 7, 2025

Dear USET/USET SPF Family,

The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is sharing this alert to keep USET member Tribal Nations informed about a multistate Listeria outbreak linked to recalled prepared, pre-packaged pasta meals sold at various grocery stores. On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported laboratory-confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infections across 15 states five of which include USET member Tribal Nation states, and the investigation is ongoing. To date, 20 confirmed cases and four deaths have been reported. While Listeria infection is rare, it can be severe, particularly for pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Please review food safety guidance, identify at-risk groups, and follow recommended prevention measures to safeguard the health of USET member Tribal Nations and communities.

Figure 1. Current Positive Cases of Listeria in Humans in the U.S.

What is Listeria?

Listeria, also known as Listeria monocytogenes (L.monocytogenes), is a disease-causing bacterium that can be found in locations such as soil, water, rotting vegetation, and animals. This can survive and grow under refrigeration, which thus thrives in unsanitary food production conditions, leading to contaminated food that individuals may consume. Listeria is generally transmitted when food products are processed or prepared in environments that contain disease-causing bacteria, through either raw material, such as water, soil, or incoming air. As a result, individuals who consume food products containing Listeria may develop a disease called Listeriosis. Additionally, in some cases, pets that consume food contaminated with Listeria can spread the bacteria within the home. Humans may thenhen be exposed through poor food-handling practices by touching contaminated surfaces, such as the pet’s food bowl.

For humans, exposure to Listeria in food can include symptoms such as:

Mild Severity:

• Fever
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Intense Severity:

• Headache
• Stiff Neck
• Loss of Balance
• Convulsions
• Fatality (High-Risk Groups)

It is important to note that symptoms of infection usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria

USET OTPH Guidance

As Listeria primarily affects humans through contaminated food products, it is crucial to understand the public health recommendations and prevention for infection cases, especially within our Tribal Nations and high-risk groups.

Prevention and Recommendations

Individuals who may be at high risk for Listeriosis:

• Women who are pregnant or plan to be
• Newborns
• People who are 65 years or older
• Immunocompromised

Individuals with pets:

• Thoroughly wash pet food dishes in a separate designated sink away from food preparation
• Prevent those at high-risk groups from handling or being exposed to food or pets that may have eaten potentially contaminated food

Recommendations

If you believe or have consumed food products or experience symptoms related to recall for Listeria, contact your healthcare provider immediately and contact your local health department.

General Prevention Strategies

• Choose safer food options
• Check for recalled food and outbreaks at your local grocery stores
• Safely discard any recalled or contaminated food due to exposure
• To prevent the growth of bacteria, keep pre-packaged ready-to-eat food in the refrigerator at 40˚F (4˚C) or below, and the freezer at 0˚F (-18˚C)
• Proper handling of food/clean-up
• Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling food/surfaces

Resources

1. Outbreak of Listeria: Prepared Pasta Meals (FDA)
2. Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Meals  (USDA)
3. Check for Current Food Recalls, Markey Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts
4. CDC: Current Listeria Outbreak linked to Prepared Pasta Meals
5. Find My State or Local Health Department

Established in 1969, the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization serving thirty-three (33) federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of Tribal Nations, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improving the quality of life for Indian people through a variety of technical and supportive programmatic services.