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Listeria Outbreak Linked to Fresh & Ready Foods Prompts Recall and Hospitalizations
A listeria outbreak has led to the hospitalization of at least ten people across California and Nevada, prompting a voluntary recall of ready-to-eat products from Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating the outbreak.
The recalled products, encompassing a variety of items from sandwiches and salads to snack boxes and pasta dishes, were distributed under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. Consumers can identify affected products by checking for “best-by” dates between April 22 and May 19, 2025. Distribution spanned several states, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, with products sold in a range of locations, from hospitals and hotels to convenience stores and airports.
The FDA and CDC’s investigation began in 2024 but was initially inconclusive. It was reopened in April 2025 when routine surveillance inspections uncovered listeria in environmental samples taken at the Fresh & Ready Foods facility. Whole genome sequencing confirmed a match between the listeria strain found at the facility and the one causing the illnesses.
Fresh & Ready Foods has stated they are taking corrective actions, including equipment removal, to address the contamination and ensure future compliance with FDA guidelines.
Eight of the ten hospitalizations occurred in California, with the remaining two in Nevada. Symptoms of listeriosis typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can manifest anywhere from the same day to ten weeks later.
The FDA advises consumers who have purchased recalled products to thoroughly clean and sanitize any potentially contaminated surfaces, as listeria can easily spread. Individuals at higher risk, such as pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, are urged to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms like fever, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea.