In October 2025, Kroger voluntarily recalled two deli pasta salad varieties amid a multistate Listeria outbreak affecting multiple retailers.
The outbreak has caused 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and 4 deaths across 15 states.
While no cases link directly to Kroger’s products, the company acted out of caution. This guide explains the affected items, health risks, and what consumers should do next.
Recalled Products: What’s Being Pulled from Shelves?
The recall targets two ready-to-eat pasta salads sold in Kroger’s deli sections. These were available at the full-service deli counter (sold by weight) or as Grab-n-Go packages in the deli department. They were distributed to approximately 1,860 stores under Kroger’s family of banners, including Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs, and Smith’s.
Here’s a detailed list of the affected products:
Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad (Service Counter Version):
UPC Code 217573-10000; Sold on dates from September 6, 2025, to October 2, 2025; Random weight, sold at the deli service counter; Distributed in states including AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV.
Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad (Grab-n-Go Version):
UPC Code 217573-20000; Sold on dates from September 6, 2025, to October 2, 2025; Random weight, Grab-n-Go packages in the deli department; Distributed in states including AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV.
Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad (Service Counter Version):
UPC Code 227573-10000; Sold on dates from August 29, 2025, to October 2, 2025; Random weight, sold at the deli service counter; Distributed in states including AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV.
Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad (Grab-n-Go Version):
UPC Code 227573-10000; Sold on dates from August 29, 2025, to October 2, 2025; Random weight, Grab-n-Go packages in the deli department; Distributed in states including AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV.
These products have been removed from store shelves, and Kroger has activated its customer notification system, including receipt messages and email alerts for loyalty program members who may have purchased them. If you bought pasta salads from Kroger during these dates, check your fridge or freezer immediately – even if frozen, Listeria can survive and pose a risk.
Note: While the provided sources focus on these two Kroger items, the broader outbreak has led to recalls of similar pasta-based products at other chains. For example, Giant Eagle recalled its Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad in select states, and Albertsons pulled comparable items. No additional Kroger-specific products were identified in recent searches across X, Reddit, YouTube, or general web sources as of October 11, 2025.
Health Risks: Who’s Most Vulnerable and What Symptoms to Watch For
Listeria infection (listeriosis) can be severe, especially for high-risk groups: pregnant individuals, newborns, adults 65+, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant people, it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening newborn infections. Healthy adults might experience short-term symptoms, but the CDC estimates about 1,600 infections and 260 deaths annually from Listeria nationwide.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever and muscle aches
- Headache, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance
- Nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
- Convulsions or seizures in severe cases
Symptoms can appear within days or up to two months after consumption. If you’ve eaten these products and feel unwell, seek medical attention promptly – mention possible Listeria exposure to your doctor.
What Should Consumers Do? Step-by-Step Advice
If you have these products:
- Do Not Consume Them: Throw them away immediately or return them to any Kroger store for a full refund or replacement. No receipt is required.
- Clean Up Thoroughly: Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils, or surfaces that may have touched the salads to prevent cross-contamination. Use hot, soapy water or a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water).
- Monitor Your Health: If you’ve consumed the product, watch for symptoms for up to 70 days. Contact a healthcare provider if you experience any signs of illness, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
- Seek Support: For questions, call Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS (1-800-576-4377), available Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. ET and weekends 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET. Check the FDA’s recall page for updates or product images: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.
If you’ve already eaten the product and feel fine, there’s no need to panic – most healthy people recover without issues. However, err on the side of caution and consult a doctor if concerned.
