A Listeria outbreak tied to ready-to-eat products has hospitalized 10 people, prompting a sweeping recall from California-based Fresh & Ready Foods LLC. The outbreak, announced May 10 by the FDA, includes eight cases in California and two in Nevada, with illnesses dating back to December 2023 and none yet confirmed in 2025.
The source of the outbreak remained a mystery until April 2025, when routine testing uncovered Listeria monocytogenes at Fresh & Ready Foods’ San Fernando facility. Genetic analysis confirmed the strain matched the one infecting patients, most of whom were already hospitalized at facilities that served Fresh & Ready products. Victims ranged in age from 41 to 87, underscoring the greater risk Listeria poses to older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by L. monocytogenes, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Still, it may progress to more severe complications such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, and seizures if it becomes invasive. Pregnant individuals face additional risks, including miscarriage or stillbirth.
As a result, Fresh & Ready Foods has issued a voluntary recall of snack boxes, protein packs, sandwiches, and pasta items sold under the brands Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. Affected products have “Use By” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19, 2025, and were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, including to hospitals, hotels, and airports.
The FDA urges consumers and food service providers to discard any recalled items and sanitize any surfaces they contact, as Listeria can survive refrigeration and contaminate other foods. Symptoms can take up to 10 weeks to appear. For refund questions, contact RecallConcern@HotLineGlobal.com.
