A listeria outbreak linked to Fresh & Ready Foods LLC has led to at least 10 hospitalizations in California and Nevada, prompting an investigation by the FDA and CDC. The company has voluntarily recalled over 80 ready-to-eat products, including snack boxes, sandwiches, and pastas, with best-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19. The affected products bear the Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away brands, distributed across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington in various locations like hospitals, convenience stores, and airports.
The FDA and CDC began investigating this cluster in 2024 but found insufficient evidence to determine a source. The investigation resumed in April 2025 after listeria was discovered in environmental samples from Fresh & Ready Foods during routine inspections. Genome sequencing confirmed the match between the strain found at the facility and those causing illnesses.
Fresh & Ready Foods has implemented corrective measures, including equipment removal, to enhance food safety and comply with FDA guidelines. Of the hospitalized patients, eight are in California, and two in Nevada. Symptoms of listeriosis, which may appear within two weeks but can take up to 10 weeks to manifest, include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The FDA has urged retailers and consumers who obtained the recalled items to thoroughly clean and sanitize any potentially contaminated areas, as listeria can easily spread. High-risk groups such as pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are advised to seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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