US Listeria Outbreak: California company removes food from shelves after 10 hospitalised

At least 10 people have been hospitalised in the United States due to a Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products , prompting an urgent recall by a California-based food producer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alongside state and local agencies, has identified the source of the outbreak as Fresh and Ready Foods LLC, located in San Fernando, California. Samples collected from the facility in April tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and matched the strain found in affected patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 10 cases were reported between December, with infections spanning across California and Nevada. Six of the patients were already hospitalised in healthcare facilities where Fresh and Ready Foods products were served, suggesting a possible link to institutional food services.

Fresh and Ready Foods has responded by voluntarily recalling several items sold under various brands, including Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. The recall covers products with use-by dates ranging from April 22 to May 19. The company also confirmed it is taking corrective measures, including removing and sanitising equipment.

Listeria is a serious but treatable infection caused by consuming contaminated food. According to the World Health Organization, foodborne listeriosis is rare, with between 0.1 and 10 cases per million annually. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, muscle aches, and loss of balance can appear up to two weeks after exposure.

Outbreaks have historically been linked to ready-to-eat items such as soft cheeses, smoked fish, meat spreads, and pre-packaged deli meats. The current incident marks another reminder of the dangers posed by improperly handled or contaminated processed foods.