A listeria outbreak has hospitalized at least 10 in California and Nevada

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a listeria epidemic in California and Nevada, and at least ten individuals have been hospitalized as a result, according to a release issued Saturday.

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced on Saturday that federal, state, and local officials are investigating the epidemic connected to foods supplied by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California.

Fresh & Ready meals LLC of San Fernando, California, is recalling ready-to-eat meals on its own initiative, according to the firm.

The recall covers more than 80 goods, including snack packs, sandwiches, and pastas. The recalled goods contain best-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19, as well as the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.

According to the agency, the goods were marketed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington at retail and food service sites such as hospitals, motels, convenience shops, airports, and airlines. 

“FDA and CDC began investigating this cluster in 2024, however, there was not enough evidence in the previous investigation to identify a source for the outbreak,” the FDA said. "The investigation was reopened in April 2025 after FDA investigators found listeria in environmental samples collected from Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC during a routine surveillance inspection."

“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 a release.

Of the ten reported cases, eight hospitalizations occurred in California and two in Nevada.

Symptoms of listeriosis, or a listeria infection, typically begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but can start anywhere from the day of consumption to 10 weeks later, the FDA said.

Retailers and consumers who purchased or received the recalled products are advised by the FDA to clean and sanitize any areas they may have touched, as listeria can spread easily to other foods and surfaces.

At-risk groups, including pregnant women and newborns, people age 65 or over and those with weakened immune systems, are encouraged by the FDA to contact a health care professional if symptoms begin, such as fever, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhea.