12-05-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Listeria outbreak hospitalizes 10 in California and Nevada, sparks major food recall
A listeria outbreak hospitalized at least 10 people in California and Nevada, prompting a voluntary recall of over 80 ready-to-eat products by Fresh & Ready Foods.
The recall affected sandwiches, snack boxes and pastas sold between April 22 and May 19.
The items, sold under the brands Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away, were distributed in California, Nevada, Arizona and Washington state, including in airports, hospitals, hotels, college campuses and specialty grocery stores such as Costco.
'Fresh & Ready Foods has taken immediate corrective actions including removing equipment to address this issue to ensure ongoing food safety and compliance with FDA guidance,' the company said in its recall notice.
Of the 10 reported cases, eight of the hospitalizations were in California and two were in Nevada.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an investigation in January 2024 but were unable to find the source of the outbreak.
However, the investigation was reopened in April when listeria was found on equipment at Fresh & Ready Foods during a routine inspection. Genome sequencing confirmed that the strain found at the company matched the outbreak strain.
Listeria infections can cause severe symptoms, including fever, nausea, and muscle aches, and can lead to complications like miscarriage in pregnant women.
At-risk groups, including older adults and people with weakened immune systems, are urged to seek medical attention if symptoms arise.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised to dispose of them immediately and sanitize any surfaces they may have touched.
The FDA's investigation is ongoing, with further updates expected.
