# Major Recall Alert: Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad Recalled Due to Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes
CINCINNATI, October 4, 2025 – In a significant food safety announcement, The Kroger Co., one of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S., has voluntarily recalled two popular deli pasta salads—**Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad** and **Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad**—due to potential contamination with *Listeria monocytogenes*. These products were sold in over 1,800 Kroger Family of Stores across 30 states. Here's everything you need to know.
## Why This Recall is Important
*Listeria monocytogenes* is a harmful organism that can cause severe health complications, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals may experience temporary symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, and diarrhea, a *Listeria* infection can lead to more serious outcomes, including miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women.
The recall stems from an ingredient supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, CA, used in salad kits produced by Fresh Creative Foods. Although no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date, Kroger has taken proactive safety measures by removing the affected products from store shelves and alerting consumers.
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## Details of the Recall
### Products Affected:
- **Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad**
- **Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad**
### Sold At:
The products were sold from deli full-service and self-service cases at **1,860 Kroger Family of Stores**, including:
- Kroger
- Baker’s
- City Market
- Dillons
- Fred Meyer
- Fry’s
- Gerbes
- King Soopers
- Payless
- Ralphs
- Smith’s
### States Affected:
- 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
### Cause of the Contamination:
The issue originated from recalls announced by Nate’s Fine Foods, the supplier of bowtie and penne pasta used in the salads. Fresh Creative Foods, the manufacturer of the salad kits, notified Kroger about potential *Listeria* contamination, prompting the storewide recall.
For more detailed information, including product images, visit the official FDA announcement [here](https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kroger-voluntarily-recalls-two-varieties-deli-pasta-salads-because-possible-health-risk).
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## What You Should Do
If you or someone you know purchased the recalled deli pasta salads, it’s essential to take immediate action:
- **Stop Consumption**: Do not eat the Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad or Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad.
- **Return the Product**: Bring it to any Kroger Family of Store location for a full refund or replacement.
- **Monitor Your Health**: If you experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, nausea, or abdominal pain after consuming the product, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
For further assistance, customers can reach Kroger at **1-800-KROGERS** during business hours:
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM ET
- Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET
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## Stay Safe – Get Instant Recall Alerts
Food recalls like this highlight the importance of staying informed about the products you and your family consume. Protect your household with real-time recall notifications by downloading Kroger's app or signing up for notifications via email. Stay ahead of potential health risks and enjoy peace of mind when shopping.
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At Kroger, safety is the top priority. The company is diligently working to ensure that all affected products are removed from shelves and to notify impacted customers. For ongoing updates, visit the Kroger [Newsroom](https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kroger-voluntarily-recalls-two-varieties-deli-pasta-salads-because-possible-health-risk).
Stay vigilant and informed to protect your loved ones from potential foodborne illnesses. Let’s work together to keep our communities safe!