Introduction to the Outbreak
At least 10 people in the U.S. have been sickened in a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products, and a producer is voluntarily recalling several products, federal officials said.
Investigation Details
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Saturday that federal, state and local officials are investigating the outbreak linked to foods produced by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California. The FDA says the 10 people who fell ill were in California and Nevada, and required hospitalization.
Affected Areas and Symptoms
The agency said the products were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington at locations including retailers and food service points of sale, including hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports and by airlines. Listeria symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food. Mild cases can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea, while more severe symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Investigation Timeline
Federal officials said they started investigating the recent outbreak last year but didn’t have enough evidence to identify a source of the infections. They said the investigation was reopened in April when FDA investigators found listeria in samples collected from Fresh & Ready Foods that matched the strain from the outbreak.
Connection to Healthcare Facilities
The FDA found that six of the 10 people who got sick had been hospitalized before becoming ill with listeria. The FDA found that items made by Fresh & Ready Foods had been served in at least three of the health care facilities where the patients had been previously treated.
CDC Involvement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the test samples from sick patients were collected from December 2023 to September 2024.
Recall Details
Fresh & Ready voluntarily recalled several products, which can be identified by “use by” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 of this year under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go and Fresh Take Crave Away.
Company Response
A message seeking comment from Fresh & Ready Foods was left Sunday.
Conclusion
The listeria outbreak linked to prepared foods from Fresh & Ready Foods LLC has affected at least 10 people, resulting in hospitalizations. The voluntary recall of several products and the ongoing investigation by federal, state, and local officials aim to prevent further illnesses. It is crucial for consumers to be aware of the recalled products and to follow proper food safety guidelines to minimize the risk of listeria infection.
FAQs
- Q: What is the source of the listeria outbreak?
A: The outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat food products produced by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California. - Q: How many people have been affected by the outbreak?
A: At least 10 people in the U.S. have been sickened, with cases reported in California and Nevada. - Q: What are the symptoms of listeria infection?
A: Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. - Q: Which products have been recalled?
A: Fresh & Ready Foods has voluntarily recalled several products with “use by” dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 of this year under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. - Q: What should consumers do to protect themselves?
A: Consumers should check for recalled products and follow proper food safety guidelines, such as handling and storing food properly, to minimize the risk of listeria infection.
