Popular Ready-to-Eat Sandwiches Recalled in Multiple States Due to Listeria Contamination

The FDA discovered strains of Listeria monocytogenes at the Fresh & Ready Foods LLC facility and is conducting an investigation in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The company recalled a wide range of sandwiches and snack products on May 10, 2025, followed by an FDA announcement on May 11.

Highlights

• Fresh & Ready Foods company has recalled ready-to-eat food items under three brand names.
• A recall was ordered on May 10, 2025, in four states where the products were distributed.
• Recalled products have the potential to contain Listeria monocytogenes; therefore, people are advised not to consume them.

Fresh and Ready Foods LLC Ordered a Voluntary Recall

Fresh & Ready Foods LLC is a San Fernando, California-based company that produces several ready-to-eat (RTE) products. The company ordered a recall on May 10, 2025, of its diverse RTE foods and those that do not need additional cooking. It includes different sandwiches and snack items as well, as they could have a Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

By the end of 2023 and the start of 2024, 10 cases of Listeriosis among people were reported, and the FDA and CDC investigated the strain of Listeria monocytogenes. At that time, there was no evidence about the source, but now the case of a multistate outbreak has reopened as the FDA officials have found the contamination of Listeria monocytogenes on a piece of equipment at Fresh & Ready Foods.

The company took immediate action by removing that equipment and ordering a recall. A complete genome sequencing of the inspected strain revealed that it is the same as the one found in the Listeria outbreak. The FDA also issued the recall notice on May 11, 2025, to inform all the involved stakeholders and consumers.

Description of the Recalled Products

Now that the case of the Listeria outbreak has been reopened and the company has recalled the products, here is all the information that one should know about! The recalled products were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington for sale. Consumers must have picked them up from retailers at hospitals, hotels, airports, etc. between April 18 to 28, 2025.

The products are from the company Fresh & Ready Foods LLC and were sold under three different brand names:

• Fresh & Ready Foods
• Fresh Take Crave Away
• City Point Market Fresh Food to Go

All the recalled products broadly lie in the “Use By” range of April 22, 2025, to May 19, 2025. Further details of the product name, size, and item number are tabulated below for easy reference by consumers.

Symptoms of Listeria Infection

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic microorganism that is capable of surviving even refrigerated temperatures. It can easily spread to different surfaces by contact and can cause serious or fatal illnesses.

Young children, elders, and persons with weak immune systems are at a higher risk of severe infections. If someone has contracted this microorganism, they will experience symptoms like nausea, high fever, headache, muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, convulsions, etc. These can either reflect within the early days of infection or even after 10 weeks.

Another high-risk group is pregnant women. Listeria can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or any other infection in the newborn.

Recommendations for Businesses and Consumers

For the continued safety of everyone, it is recommended that all consumers, retailers, distributors, and food service customers immediately check the above-mentioned details of the products with them. If the information matches, that product should not be sold, served, or consumed.

One must clean and sanitize all the surfaces where these recalled products have been touched to eliminate the slightest risk of cross-contamination. If anyone experiences any of the aforementioned symptoms of Listeriosis, they must immediately seek professional medical help.

As per the official FDA and the company’s announcement, no illness has been reported for those products that were distributed between April 18-28, 2025. To prevent any disease outbreak, this voluntary precautionary measure of recall has been taken for the safety and health of the consumers.