An L.A.-based food company, Fresh & Ready Foods, has issued a voluntary recall of several premade food products after federal regulators identified a strain of listeria monocytogenes on its equipment. This strain is linked to an outbreak that first emerged last year and has affected at least 10 individuals. The recalled items include various sandwiches and snacks sold under three brands: Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. These products were distributed in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington between April 18 and 28, intended for vending machines, hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines. The “Use by” dates range from April 22 to May 19. Following a routine inspection in April, investigators found the listeria strain on equipment at the Fresh & Ready facility. The company removed the equipment and took corrective actions. Although no illnesses have been directly linked to the recalled food, the recall serves as a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety. In 2024, at least eight people in California and two in Nevada were sickened by tainted products, with some cases tied to hospital settings where ready-to-eat foods made by Fresh & Ready Foods were served. Symptoms of listeria infection can include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and gastrointestinal issues. Pregnant individuals, adults aged 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
— new from Los Angeles Times
