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At least 10 people have been hospitalized in connection with a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Federal officials say the contaminated food was distributed across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. The products were sold at a wide range of locations, including hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and even through airlines. The affected individuals were located in California and Nevada, and all required hospitalization.

The outbreak is tied to products made by Fresh & Ready Foods, which has since voluntarily recalled several items sold under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. The recalled products have “use by” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19, 2025.

The FDA’s investigation originally began last year but was paused due to a lack of evidence. However, the agency reopened the case in April 2025 after samples collected from Fresh & Ready Foods matched the same strain of listeria found in sick patients. Officials noted that six of the 10 individuals who got sick had recently been hospitalized, and Fresh & Ready Foods items had been served in at least three of the facilities where the patients were treated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patient samples were collected between December 2023 and September 2024, suggesting a prolonged exposure period.

Listeria is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms may begin within two weeks of exposure and can include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, symptoms can escalate to stiff neck, confusion, convulsions, and loss of balance.

If you or a loved one has been affected by this outbreak, you may have legal options. Contact Singleton Schreiber to learn more about how we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

Legal Options For Those Exposed to Listeria

“An outbreak like this, especially when it affects hospital patients who are already vulnerable, underscores the urgent need for corporate accountability,” says Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber personal injury law firm. “Victims and their families deserve answers, and they have every right to explore legal action to seek compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.”

Victims of the listeria outbreak linked to Fresh & Ready Foods, and the families of those impacted, may have legal options such as:

• Personal Injury Claims: Individuals hospitalized or made seriously ill due to listeria-contaminated food may be able to file personal injury claims to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
• Wrongful Death Claims: If this outbreak results in fatalities, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims to recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support.
• Class Action Lawsuits: Given the widespread nature of the distribution and number of people affected, victims may be able to join or initiate a class action lawsuit, allowing multiple plaintiffs to collectively pursue compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable.

If you or a loved one has been affected by the listeria outbreak, Singleton Schreiber is actively reviewing cases. Contact our legal team today at (619) 771-3473 or email us at info@singletonschreiber.com to set up your free initial consultation to learn more.