Ten Hospitalized in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Fresh & Ready Foods

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. — At least ten people have been hospitalized in California and Nevada due to a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the voluntary recall on Saturday, stating that the potentially contaminated products were made by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California.

The outbreak has lead to hospitalizations for individuals who consumed these affected ready-to-eat items. The recalled products include sandwiches and snack boxes with best-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 of this year and can be identified under brand names like Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.

These items were distributed across four states: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. They were sold in various locations, including hospitals, corporate offices, convenience stores, airports, and hotels, according to the FDA.

The investigation into this outbreak began in 2024 but was temporarily stalled due to insufficient evidence to identify the source of the infections. It was reopened in April 2025 when FDA inspectors discovered listeria in environmental samples from Fresh & Ready Foods.

The CDC utilized whole genome sequencing to confirm that the strain found in the company’s environmental samples matched the strain responsible for the illnesses. All ten reported cases required hospitalization, with eight cases occurring in California and two in Nevada.

Symptoms of listeriosis can appear within two weeks after consuming contaminated food and may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe symptoms can consist of headaches, stiff necks, and loss of balance. At-risk groups, including pregnant women and those over 65, are urged to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.

Fresh & Ready Foods has stated they are taking corrective actions, including removing contaminated equipment to ensure food safety and compliance with FDA guidelines. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as the investigation is ongoing and further developments may arise.