Holding Companies Accountable for Contaminated Food
A multistate listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta salads and prepared meals has caused serious illness, hospitalizations, and even death across the country. Products sold at popular New York City grocery stores, including Trader Joe's, Kroger, and Walmart, have been recalled after being linked to contamination from a single food supplier.
When a company’s failure to ensure food safety leads to such devastating consequences, those who have been harmed have the right to seek justice. If you or a family member developed a listeria infection after consuming a recalled product, a Pasta Salad Listeria Lawsuit Lawyer from Hach & Rose can discuss your situation and outline your potential path toward holding the responsible parties accountable.
Our team at Hach & Rose is committed to representing New Yorkers who have been injured by the carelessness of others. We understand the profound impact a serious foodborne illness can have on your health, finances, and family. We are here to provide the support and dedicated legal representation you need during this difficult period.
Key Takeaways about Pasta Salad Listeria Lawsuits
- A widespread listeria outbreak is linked to precooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc.
- Recalled products include prepared pasta salads and meals sold under brand names like Trader Joe’s, Marketside (Walmart), Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and more.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports numerous hospitalizations, multiple deaths, and one fetal loss connected to this outbreak.
- Listeriosis, the infection caused by listeria, poses a significant risk to pregnant individuals, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Food manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers have a legal duty to sell products that are safe for consumption.
- Individuals who have become ill from contaminated food may be able to pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Why Choose Hach & Rose for Your Food Poisoning Case?
When you are facing the consequences of a severe foodborne illness, choosing the right legal team is a critical decision. The attorneys at Hach & Rose have built a legacy of standing up for the rights of injured New Yorkers, recovering over one billion dollars for our clients. Founded by Gregory Hach and Michael Rose, our firm combines deep experience representing union workers with a formidable record of securing million-dollar verdicts for injury clients. We believe that real people deserve real results.
Our approach is founded on collaboration and commitment. You don’t just get a single attorney; you get a dedicated team working together on your case. We understand that this is a challenging time, which is why we offer:
- A Proven Record of Success: Our history of substantial recoveries speaks to our ability to handle complex personal injury and mass tort cases.
- A Client-Centered Approach: We provide multilingual support and are available to our clients when they need us, even after office hours.
- No-Cost Initial Consultation: We offer completely free and confidential consultations to help you understand your options without any obligation.
- Contingency Fee Basis: You pay us no fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Our firm is proud to be a New York City law firm fighting on behalf of New Yorkers. We are prepared to put our considerable resources and experience to work for you.
Understanding the Nationwide Listeria Outbreak
Federal health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are actively investigating a widespread outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. This investigation has traced the contamination back to precooked pasta, including fettuccine, linguine, and bowtie pasta, supplied by a company called Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc.
This contaminated pasta was then used by various companies to create ready-to-eat meals and deli salads distributed to major grocery retailers nationwide. This complex supply chain means that a single source of contamination could affect countless consumers, from those picking up a quick lunch at a deli in Midtown Manhattan to families buying groceries in Queens. According to the CDC, as of Oct. 30, 2025, this outbreak has led to 27 illnesses, 25 hospitalizations, six deaths, and one fetal loss across 18 states.
These figures underscore the serious public health threat posed by contaminated food products and the critical importance of food safety standards at every stage of production and distribution.
Which Products Were Recalled in the Pasta Salad Listeria Outbreak?
The recalls associated with this listeria outbreak are extensive, covering a wide range of products sold under different brand names in both refrigerated and frozen sections. Consumers are urged to check their homes for these items and discard them immediately.
Some of the recalled products include:
- Trader Joe’s: Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16-oz. packages) with specific "best if used by" dates in September and October 2025.
- Marketside (Walmart): Products like Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine and Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce with various best-by dates.
- Kroger: Deli bowtie and penne pasta salads sold from the deli counter or in grab-and-go packages between August 29, 2025, and October 2, 2025.
- Sprouts Farmers Market: Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad with use-by dates between October 10 and October 29, 2025.
- Scott & Jon’s: Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6-oz) with best-if-used-by dates in March 2027.
- Albertsons: Store-made deli pasta salads sold at its family of stores, including Safeway and Vons.
- Giant Eagle: Smoked mozzarella pasta salad with expiration dates from late September to early October 2025.
- Home Chef: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5-oz) with a best-by date of June 19, 2025, or prior.
This is not an exhaustive list. The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) have provided detailed information in their public health alerts. If you are unsure whether a product in your home is part of the recall, it is safest to discard it or return it to the place of purchase.
The Serious Health Consequences of Listeriosis
Consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. While some people may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can be severe and even life-threatening for others. The FDA warns that symptoms typically begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food but can appear as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.
Common Symptoms of Listeriosis
The symptoms of listeriosis can vary depending on the severity of the infection. It’s important to seek medical care immediately if you believe you have been exposed to listeria and are feeling ill.
- Mild Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Severe Symptoms (Invasive Listeriosis): Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. This occurs when the infection spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body, such as the brain or bloodstream.
High-Risk Groups
Certain populations are more susceptible to developing a severe listeria infection. These groups must be especially cautious about food safety and potential outbreaks.
- Pregnant Individuals: Pregnant people typically experience fever and other flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.
- Adults Aged 65 or Older: Older adults are at a higher risk of developing severe complications from listeriosis.
- People with Weakened Immune Systems: Individuals with conditions like cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease, or those taking immunosuppressant medications, are more vulnerable to invasive listeriosis.
If you or a loved one fall into one of these categories and have consumed a recalled product, it is vital to be vigilant for symptoms and consult a healthcare provider with any concerns.
Your Rights After a Foodborne Illness Diagnosis
When you purchase food from a grocery store, you have a right to expect that it is safe to eat. Food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a legal obligation, known as a duty of care, to ensure their products are free from harmful contaminants. When they fail in this duty and sell a product that causes illness, they can be held liable for the harm that results. This area of law is known as product liability.
In a case involving widespread food contamination, liability could rest with one or more parties in the supply chain. This could include the original ingredient supplier (Nate’s Fine Foods), the company that assembled the final meal (like FreshRealm, Inc.), and the retailer that sold it to the public. A thorough investigation is necessary to determine exactly where the safety failure occurred.
How a Food Poisoning Listeria Attorney Can Help
Pursuing a legal claim against a large corporation can be intimidating. An attorney can manage the legal process on your behalf, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most. The legal team at Hach & Rose has the resources and experience to handle complex food poisoning claims.
Here are some of the ways our attorneys can support your case:
- Conducting a Thorough Investigation: We will work to trace the source of your illness, gathering evidence to link your listeriosis diagnosis to the contaminated pasta product.
- Gathering Critical Evidence: This includes collecting medical records to document your illness and treatment, obtaining proof of purchase like receipts or loyalty card statements, and preserving any remaining product for testing if possible.
- Calculating Your Damages: We will assess the full scope of your losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, and the non-economic impact of your pain and suffering.
- Handling All Communications: Our team will manage all correspondence and negotiations with the corporations and their insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your claim.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and present your case in court.
We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not pay any upfront costs. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, so we only get paid if you do.
Establishing Liability in a Contaminated Food Case
To successfully pursue a product liability claim, your legal team must establish several key elements. From the food processing plants to the delivery trucks that cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, every step in the supply chain carries a responsibility for safety.
The core components of a claim include:
- The Product Was Contaminated: We must show that the food product you consumed was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The public health alerts and recall notices from the FDA and CDC serve as powerful evidence.
- You Suffered Harm: We must demonstrate that you were diagnosed with listeriosis and suffered quantifiable harm as a result. This is proven through medical records, expert testimony, and documentation of your financial losses.
- The Contamination Caused Your Harm: This is a crucial link. We must establish a causal connection between your consumption of the contaminated product and your subsequent illness. This can involve medical evidence and analysis of the specific listeria strain.
Building a strong case requires careful documentation and a detailed understanding of both the science behind foodborne illness and the laws governing product safety.
What Kind of Compensation Can Be Pursued?
While no amount of money can undo the illness and distress you have experienced, a successful legal claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice. The compensation, or "damages," available in a food poisoning lawsuit is intended to cover the various losses you have endured.
Potential compensation may include:
- Economic Damages: These are the tangible financial losses associated with your illness, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, prescription medication costs, and lost income or wages if you were unable to work.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that are harder to quantify, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If a family tragically loses a loved one due to listeriosis, they may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. This can help cover funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s income, and loss of companionship.
The attorneys at Hach & Rose will carefully evaluate every aspect of your case to determine the full extent of the damages you may be entitled to pursue.
Pasta Salad Recall FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions that arise in food contamination cases.
How can I prove I ate one of the recalled pasta products?
Proof of purchase is extremely helpful. This can include a grocery store receipt, a bank or credit card statement showing the purchase, or even a store loyalty card record. If you don't have these, we can explore other ways to document your purchase, such as photos of the product or statements from people who saw you with it.
What should I do if I still have the product or its packaging?
If you still have the food product or its packaging, do not throw it away. Seal it in a plastic bag to prevent further contamination and store it in your freezer. The packaging contains important information like lot numbers and best-by dates that can be critical evidence in linking your illness to the recalled batch.
How long do I have to file a listeria lawsuit in New York?
In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the injury. However, the specifics can vary, and it is crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines for filing your claim.
Can my family file a lawsuit if a loved one died from listeriosis?
Yes. If a family member passed away as a result of a listeria infection from a contaminated food product, eligible surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of claim seeks compensation for the losses the family has suffered due to their loved one's death.
What does it cost to hire a lawyer for a food poisoning case?
At Hach & Rose, we represent clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney's fees unless and until we win your case and recover compensation for you. Our initial consultation is also completely free, so there is no financial risk in learning about your legal rights.
Contact Hach & Rose for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with listeriosis after eating a recalled pasta salad or prepared meal, you do not have to face the consequences alone. The food companies that put dangerous products on store shelves must be held accountable. The New York City personal injury attorneys of Hach & Rose are here to fight for you.
We are dedicated to helping people in our community secure the resources and justice they deserve. Let our team put its experience and dedication to work for you. Contact us today at (212) 779-0057 or complete our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer from our team.