Nationwide listeria outbreak linked to recalled sandwiches sparks public health alert

• A Listeria outbreak tied to contaminated ready-to-eat foods from California-based Fresh & Ready Foods has triggered a recall of 86 products, including sandwiches, snack boxes and pasta dishes sold under multiple brand names.
• The outbreak has hospitalized 10 people (ages 41-87) in California and Nevada, with potential life-threatening complications like meningitis. Pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are at high risk.
• Routine FDA inspections in April 2024 detected the outbreak strain at Fresh & Ready Foods’ facility, months after cases began (December 2023). Genetic analysis confirmed the match.
• Recalled products were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington at hospitals, hotels, airports and retail stores with “Use by” dates from April 22 to May 19, 2025.
• Listeria’s resilience in cold temperatures complicates containment. The FDA urges consumers to discard affected products, sanitize surfaces and stay vigilant as more cases may emerge due to the pathogen’s long incubation period.

A dangerous Listeria outbreak tied to contaminated ready-to-eat foods has triggered a nationwide recall, raising alarms among health officials and consumers alike.

The outbreak, linked to products from California-based Fresh & Ready Foods, has already hospitalized 10 people across California and Nevada, with cases dating back to December 2023. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes poses severe risks – particularly to the elderly, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms can take weeks or even months to appear.

The investigation into the outbreak began in 2024, but initially lacked sufficient evidence to identify a source. That changed in April when routine FDA inspections at Fresh & Ready Foods’ San Fernando facility detected the same bacterial strain responsible for the illnesses.

Genetic analysis confirmed the match, prompting the company to voluntarily recall 86 products – including sandwiches, snack boxes and pasta dishes sold under brands like Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go and Fresh Take Crave Away. These items distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington were available in hospitals, hotels, airports and retail locations, with “Use by” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19. (Related: Listeria OUTBREAK linked to milkshakes sold at Frugals Tacoma causes three deaths, six hospitalizations.)

Listeria infections, known as listeriosis, can cause symptoms from gastrointestinal distress to life-threatening complications like meningitis and septicemia. Pregnant women face heightened risks, including miscarriage and stillbirth.

In this outbreak, affected individuals ranged from 41 to 87 years old – with six already hospitalized for unrelated conditions before exposure. The CDC notes that while no 2025 cases have been confirmed yet, the lag in reporting means more illnesses could emerge.

Listeria’s chilling resilience: Food safety failures exposed

This recall underscores a persistent issue in food safety: Listeria’s resilience. Unlike many pathogens, it thrives in cold temperatures, allowing it to linger in refrigerated foods and spread to surfaces.

The FDA advises consumers to discard affected products and thoroughly sanitize any contaminated areas. Fresh & Ready Foods has urged customers to contact them for refunds, emphasizing the recall as a precaution despite no direct illnesses linked to recent distributions.

Historically, Listeria outbreaks have led to sweeping regulatory changes, such as the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act that strengthened preventive controls. Yet gaps remain, as seen in this case. The FDA’s delayed identification of the source highlights the challenges of tracing foodborne illnesses – a process complicated by Listeria’s long incubation period.

As authorities monitor for new cases, the recall serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the food supply chain. For now, vigilance is critical: Consumers must check their pantries, and regulators must ensure that preventive measures keep pace with evolving threats. The true toll of this outbreak may not be known for weeks, but its lessons are already clear – safety cannot be an afterthought.

Outbreak.news has more similar stories.

Watch this news report from November 2023 about a recall of peaches, nectarines and plums due to a listeria outbreak.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

LiveScience.com

TODAY.com

BusinessWire.com

Brighteon.com