San Fernando, California — A listeria outbreak has led to at least 10 hospitalizations in California and Nevada, prompting an investigation by federal health authorities. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are collaborating to determine the source of the outbreak, which has been linked to ready-to-eat foods from Fresh & Ready Foods LLC.
The company has issued a voluntary recall of more than 80 food products, including snack boxes, sandwiches, and pasta items. These recalled items have best-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 and are sold under several brand names, including Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. Distribution of these products has affected various locations, such as hospitals, hotels, corporate offices, convenience stores, airports, and airlines across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington.
The investigation into the outbreak initially began in 2024, but there was insufficient evidence to identify a source at that time. However, in April 2025, the FDA reopened the investigation after listeria was detected in environmental samples collected from Fresh & Ready Foods during a routine inspection. Whole genome sequencing has been utilized to match the listeria strain from the company’s products with the illnesses reported.
Fresh & Ready Foods has stated that it is taking immediate measures to resolve the issue, including removing equipment and reaffirming its commitment to food safety and compliance with FDA guidelines.
The outbreak has resulted in eight hospitalizations in California and two in Nevada. Symptoms of listeriosis, the disease caused by listeria, typically manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can appear anywhere from the day of consumption up to 10 weeks later. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Health officials are urging retailers and consumers to thoroughly clean and sanitize any areas that may have come into contact with the recalled products, as listeria can easily transfer to other foods and surfaces. Vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, newborns, individuals over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, should seek medical advice if they experience symptoms associated with listeriosis.
As the investigation unfolds, health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of food safety and the need for vigilance to prevent further illness.