Fresh & Ready Foods recalls products after listeria sickens 10 people in California, Nevada
Fresh & Ready Foods has issued a voluntary recall of multiple products following an outbreak of listeria that has affected at least 10 individuals in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Saturday that federal, state, and local authorities are investigating the outbreak, which has been linked to ready-to-eat food items produced by the California-based company.
According to the FDA, the 10 individuals who fell ill were located in California and Nevada and required hospitalization. The recall is being initiated due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can lead to severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of listeria infection in healthy individuals may include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women who are infected with listeria are at risk of miscarriages and stillbirths.
The affected products have “Use By” dates ranging from 4/22/2025 to 05/19/2025 and were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington at various retail locations and food service points such as hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines. A full list of the recalled products, including details like size, item numbers, packaging, and use-by dates, can be found on the FDA’s website.
The FDA investigation into the outbreak began last year but was reopened in April after listeria was detected in samples taken from Fresh & Ready Foods that matched the strain responsible for the illnesses. The company has taken immediate corrective actions, including removing equipment to address the issue.
Of the 10 individuals affected by the outbreak, six had been hospitalized before developing symptoms of listeria. The FDA determined that products made by Fresh & Ready Foods were served at three healthcare facilities where the patients had received treatment.
Samples from the sick patients were collected between December 2023 and September 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The recalled products can be identified by their “use by” dates falling between April 22 and May 19 of this year and are sold under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.
It is essential for consumers to check the FDA’s list of recalled products and dispose of any items that fall within the specified date range to prevent the risk of listeria contamination. Stay updated on any further developments regarding this outbreak to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.
