At least 10 people in the U.S. have been hospitalized due to a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products, prompting a voluntary recall by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Federal, state, and local officials are investigating the outbreak, which has affected individuals in California and Nevada, the FDA said in a statement on Saturday. The contaminated products, produced by Fresh & Ready Foods of San Fernando, California, were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, and sold through various retailers, hospitals, hotels, airports, airlines, and convenience stores.
Listeria symptoms typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food. While mild cases can cause fever, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue, more severe symptoms include stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures—especially dangerous for the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that samples from affected patients were collected between December 2023 and September 2024. Six of the ten patients were already hospitalized for other reasons when they contracted the illness. Investigators later discovered that Fresh & Ready Foods products were served at three of those facilities.
Although an initial investigation into the outbreak began last year, officials were unable to identify the source until April 2025, when FDA testing found listeria in food samples from Fresh & Ready Foods that matched the outbreak strain.
In response, the company issued a voluntary recall and implemented immediate corrective measures, including the removal of implicated equipment from its facility. Recalled products were sold under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away, with “use by” dates between April 22 and May 19, 2025.
Consumers who purchased products under these labels during that timeframe are advised to dispose of them immediately and monitor for symptoms. For more information, visit the FDA or CDC websites for updates and guidance.
