Protecting families from contaminated food and water
All fields are required
Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Outbreaks & Recalls on May 12, 2025
A source, packaged sandwiches and convenience foods produced by Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC, has been identified in a Listeria outbreak. Both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been investigating this outbreak.
So far there have been 10 illnesses associated with this Listeria outbreak. All outbreak patients were hospitalized. In fact, hospitals may have been the place these sandwiches were obtained.
Here’s what we know about the Listeria outbreak linked to packaged sandwiches from Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC and how the complicated outbreak investigation unfolded.
Reports indicate that the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating this outbreak quite a while ago.
A cluster of illnesses dating back to 2024 put the Listeria outbreak on their radar. However, at the time, there was not enough evidence to identify a source for the outbreak. Leads dried up and the investigation was suspended.
That all changed in April 2025 when new evidence allowed investigators to reopen the Listeria outbreak investigation.
As of May 10, 2025, there have been at least 10 illnesses associated with this Listeria outbreak. All 10 patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been associated with this outbreak so far.
Outbreak patients have been identified in the states of California and Nevada.
The last date of illness onset was January 18, 2024. However, reports on the discovery of the outbreak source suggest that the risk was ongoing and that others may have become sick from this food source.
Last month the Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC facility came due for routine surveillance inspection. During the course of that inspection, samples were obtained.
A sample from a piece of equipment was positive for the harmful bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes.
The equipment was removed, and a recall was initiated.
But when this happens, surveillance samples undergo additional testing. Testing that reveals the genetic information of those bacteria. Scientists call this Whole Genome Sequencing, or WGS.
The “genetic fingerprint” obtained for the samples taken from the Fresh & Ready Foods facility were uploaded to the CDC foodborne illness database.
Bingo! There was a match!
A Listeria outbreak strain matched the genetic fingerprint from the Fresh & Ready facility samples.
As it turns out, these ready-to-eat products are primarily distributed to hospital break room areas and vending machines. Another link to the outbreak patients.
Part of any potentially foodborne outbreak investigation involves patient interviews. Interviews that include asking questions about the foods they ate prior to becoming sick.
This helps investigators identify an overlap of ingredients or prepared foods that could point to an outbreak source.
In this case, all patients available for interview indicated that they were hospitalized for something unrelated and then became sick with Listeria.
Refrigerated vending machines are a staple in hospitals. Many hospitals also have cafés for both visitors and staff to eat meals. However, these facilities are not always open. In some cases, a quick meal from a vending machine is necessary.
Options for fare more substantial than candy, chips, and soft drinks are a godsend.
It is no surprise that ready-to-eat sandwiches and convenience foods are a popular choice.
At least three of the facilities involved in the outbreak investigation had records indicating that the ready-to-eat products from Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC were served at their hospital.
In response to the outbreak, Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC of San Fernando, California, issued a voluntary recall for select “Use By” dates for several of the brand names produced at that facility.
Impacted brands include:
Affected products were distributed to retailers and food service locations such as hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines between 04/18/2025 and 04/28/2025. Products were sent to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. However, they may have been further distributed to other states.
These products have a “Use By” date between 04/22/2025 and 05/19/2025.
At least 86 different products have been recalled so far.
A complete list of products can be found here.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for the illness, listeriosis. It causes a serious infection, often linked to contaminated foods. A Listeria infection isn’t pleasant for anyone. But it is especially dangerous for those who are pregnant, and people with other health problems or weakened immune systems.
High risk groups are more susceptible to infection and often experience more severe illnesses.
High-risk groups include:
Those in the hospital for extended periods of time often meet at least some of those high-risk factors.
There are two types of Listeria illness symptoms. Those associated with intestinal illness and instances where it develops into more invasive illness.
The most common symptoms of listeriosis involve intestinal illness. This is where the infection affects the digestive system. This type of Listeria illness involves vomiting and diarrhea that often begins within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and lasts around 1 to 3 days.
Most people with this type of listeriosis will not need antibiotic treatment. People are usually able to treat symptoms and hydrate until the illness passes. Those in the higher risk groups may need medical treatment and antibiotics to recover.
Serious risk increases when illness evolves into more invasive illness.
Invasive illness occurs when Listeria bacteria make its way beyond the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. In this case, listeriosis affects pregnant and non-pregnant people differently. In both categories, symptoms often begin about 2 weeks after consuming the contaminated food.
Pregnant people generally experience milder personal symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. The greater risk is associated with the unborn child. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
People who are not pregnant often experience more severe symptoms. Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions are common. Fever and muscle aches are also possible symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment and often need hospitalization.
If you have fallen sick from eating packaged sandwiches or other convenience foods from Fresh & Ready Foods, you may have a legal case. The Listeria Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC are here to help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illness. Lapses in food safety practices leave consumers vulnerable to illnesses. Sometimes life-altering ones.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation today. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation and answer questions you may have about the process.
Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)