Ten Americans have been hospitalized in a dangerous multi-state listeria outbreak caused by refrigerated ready-to-eat meals, prompting a massive recall across four states targeting popular sandwich and snack products.
Key Takeaways
- A serious listeria outbreak linked to Fresh & Ready Foods has hospitalized 10 people in California and Nevada
- The company has recalled multiple ready-to-eat products distributed between April 18-28, 2025 with “Use By” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19
- Affected products were sold under brands including Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away
- The outbreak affects four states: California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington
- Listeria poses a particular threat to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems
Dangerous Outbreak Linked to Popular Ready-to-Eat Foods
Federal health officials have launched an investigation into a dangerous listeria outbreak traced to Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC, based in San Fernando, California. The contamination has already sent at least ten Americans to hospitals across California and Nevada, highlighting significant food safety concerns. The FDA confirmed the direct connection between the company’s products and the illnesses through advanced testing techniques. The company’s manufacturing facility tested positive for the exact strain of listeria causing the current hospitalizations.
“Whole genome sequencing analysis confirmed that the strain of Listeria found at Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC matches the strain of Listeria causing illnesses in this outbreak,” FDA, DNYUZ
Fresh & Ready Foods has initiated a recall covering numerous ready-to-eat products distributed between April 18 and April 28, 2025. These include sandwiches, bistro boxes, and protein snacks bearing “Use By” dates from April 22 through May 19, 2025. The products were sold under various brand names including Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away – names that many Americans encounter regularly at convenience stores, airports, and even healthcare facilities.
At least 10 people have been hospitalized in California and Nevada following a listeria outbreak under investigation by the FDA and CDC.
Ready-to-eat foods produced by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California, are being voluntarily recalled, according to the company.…
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 12, 2025
Widespread Distribution Raises Consumer Risk
The contaminated products have been distributed across four western states – California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington – potentially exposing thousands of consumers to the dangerous bacteria. The distribution channels are particularly concerning as they include not just retail stores but also hospitals, hotels, airports, and even airlines. This widespread distribution pattern means many Americans may have unknowingly purchased or consumed these products before learning about the recall.
Federal health officials had previously investigated this outbreak in 2024 but reopened the case in April 2025 after finding listeria in environmental samples at the company’s facility. The CDC officially opened its current outbreak investigation on May 10, 2025. While all ten affected individuals have required hospitalization, authorities report that no deaths have occurred thus far – a small consolation given the seriousness of listeria infections.
Why Listeria Poses a Serious Threat
Listeria presents a unique danger compared to other foodborne pathogens because it thrives in cold environments, making refrigerated ready-to-eat meals particularly vulnerable to contamination. This ability to grow even in properly refrigerated foods means conventional food safety measures consumers typically rely on may not provide protection. The bacteria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection with symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe conditions including meningitis and encephalitis.
The infection poses especially serious risks for vulnerable populations including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, listeria infection can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The infection’s incubation period presents another challenge, as symptoms can appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but may emerge as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after exposure.
Protecting Your Family
Health officials advise consumers who have purchased the recalled products to immediately dispose of them and thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated items. Businesses and healthcare facilities are instructed not to serve the recalled products and to sanitize all potentially contaminated areas. The CDC recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms of listeria infection – including fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions – seek medical attention promptly.
This outbreak serves as another reminder of the ongoing challenges in America’s food safety system. While the Trump administration has emphasized reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, this case demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining rigorous inspection standards and rapid response capabilities when public health threats emerge. As the investigation continues, consumers should remain vigilant about checking their refrigerators for potentially contaminated products and following all recommended precautions.
