Urgent Alert: Dozens of Products From Fresh and Ready Foods Recalled Over Listeria Risk

Due to a Listeria outbreak, a Los Angeles company has pulled dozens of ready-made meals from shelves.

The products are sold under the following names: Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. A comprehensive list of 86 affected food items can be found in an FDA press release.

The Los Angeles Times reported that federal regulators found a strain of Listeria on the equipment used to produce the products. The strain was first linked to an outbreak identified in 2024 that has caused 10 people to fall ill so far.

The affected ready-to-eat sandwiches and snack items were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. Additionally, the products were distributed between April 18, 2025, and April 28, 2025, in vending machines, hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, and airports.

The food items are specifically limited to the products with the Use By dates of April 22, 2025, to May 19, 2025. Consumers who may have purchased these items are strongly urged to check these dates, which are printed clearly on the front of each product package below the “Net Weight.”

The Listeria outbreak initially came to light in 2024 when a group of illnesses prompted an investigation by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But despite their efforts, investigators were unable to trace the contamination back to a definitive source.

Per the FDA, when it investigated further into the new outbreak, it connected the strain to the one that caused illnesses in 2024. Subsequently, investigators reopened their investigation into the matter and prompted the recall.

“While no illnesses have been reported related to the specific products distributed between 04/18/2025 and 04/28/2025 as listed below, this action is being taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safety of our consumers,” Fresh & Ready Foods said in a news release on May 10.

The FDA states that consumers who may possess any of these products should discard them immediately. Furthermore, they can contact Fresh & Ready Foods at RecallConcern@HotLineGlobal.com or by calling 1-855-424-8390 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. through 3 p.m. PST for any questions related to this recall or to request a full refund.

How Does the FDA Investigate Foodborne Illnesses Such as Listeria?

Foodborne illnesses, such as those caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can pose serious health risks, especially to pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in identifying and responding to outbreaks linked to contaminated food products and stopping the spread of these illnesses.

When the FDA is alerted to a possible outbreak, it begins by working with these partners to identify a common source. This process involves epidemiological investigations, including patient interviews to track what foods were consumed before illness, per the organization.

Once a potential source is suspected, the FDA utilizes traceback investigations to follow the food product’s path through the supply chain, from retail stores back to manufacturers and farms. Inspectors may collect food samples from production facilities, retail locations, or homes for laboratory testing to confirm contamination.

If contamination is confirmed, the FDA can issue public health alerts, initiate recalls, and work with companies to remove affected products from the market. Additionally, they may inspect and enforce further safety measures at facilities to prevent future outbreaks.

Listeria is a bacterium that can withstand refrigeration and even freezing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of Listeria infection include diarrhea, an upset stomach, vomiting, or, if it spreads through the blood, fever, headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, seizures, and more.