May 12, 2025 – At least 10 individuals have been hospitalized in California and Nevada due to a listeria epidemic linked to ready-to-eat food products, which hasprompted a federal investigation and an urgent multi-state recall.
The outbreak has been linked to San Fernando, California-based Fresh & Ready Foods LLC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday. The company is currently voluntarily recalling more than 80 goods, including well-known snack boxes, sandwiches, wraps, and pastas.
What Is Remembered?
The affected products were sold under multiple brand names, including:
• Fresh & Ready Foods
• City Point
• Market Fresh Food to Go
Fresh Take Crave Away
These items have best-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 and were distributed to a wide variety of public spaces, including:
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Corporate offices
• Convenience stores
• Airports and airlines
The products reached consumers in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, potentially exposing thousands to the harmful bacteria.
How Was the Outbreak Traced?
Although the FDA and CDC began investigating a cluster of listeria illnesses in 2024, there wasn’t enough evidence to trace the source—until now. The case was reopened in April 2025, when FDA surveillance teams discovered listeria contamination in environmental samples taken from Fresh & Ready’s food production facility.
Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the strain found at the facility matched the bacteria causing illnesses in patients across the region.
The Human Impact
Out of the 10 confirmed hospitalizations, eight occurred in California and two in Nevada. No fatalities have been reported so far, but officials warn that symptoms of listeriosis can appear anywhere from a few days to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Common symptoms include:
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
Who’s Most at Risk?
The FDA strongly advises vulnerable populations to remain vigilant, including:
- Pregnant women and newborns
- Adults over 65
- People with weakened immune systems
If symptoms appear, immediate medical attention is recommended.
What Should You Do Now?
Consumers and retailers are urged to:
- Check refrigerators and freezers for the recalled products
- Discard them immediately
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces or storage areas the items may have touched
Listeria is known to spread easily and survive in cold environments, making thorough cleaning critical.
What’s Next?
Fresh & Ready Foods has issued a public apology and confirmed they’ve taken corrective measures, including removing contaminated equipment and enhancing sanitation protocols.
Federal authorities continue to monitor the situation. More recalls could follow depending on how far the contamination spread.
