Govind Tekale
Fresh & Ready Foods has issued an urgent food safety recall covering 86 ready-to-eat products after finding Listeria bacteria in their California production facility. The recall affects popular lunch items and snacks sold across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington – from airport terminals to hospital cafeterias.
This food recall stems from FDA testing that found Listeria on equipment at the company’s San Fernando plant. The discovery links directly to an ongoing Listeria outbreak that has already put 10 people in hospitals across California and Nevada since December 2023.
Listeria poses unique risks compared to many other foodborne illnesses. Unlike common bacteria, it grows even in refrigerator temperatures. For pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. In older adults and people with weak immune systems, it leads to severe infections. Even healthy people often face fever, muscle pain, and stomach problems.
The recall covers three major brands: Fresh & Ready Foods, Fresh Take Crave Away, and City Point Market Fresh Food to Go. These products reached the public through vending machines, workplace break rooms, medical buildings, retail stores, hotels, and airports between April 18 and April 28, 2025.
“We’re taking immediate action to protect public health, even though no illnesses link directly to our recent production,” Fresh & Ready Foods states. The company has started removing and sanitizing equipment at their facility.
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For food safety, check your “Use By” dates carefully. Don’t eat any products dated between April 22 and May 19, 2025. The company offers full refunds for all recalled items. The product list includes everyday sandwiches, specialty items like Thai chicken ciabatta, and grab-and-go snacks ranging from 3 to 9.5 ounces.
If you bought these foods, don’t just throw them out. Clean your refrigerator thoroughly – remember, Listeria survives cold temperatures. Sanitize any containers or surfaces that touched these products to prevent cross-contamination.
Public health officials face a particular challenge with this food recall. Listeria symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to 70 days after eating contaminated food. This means new cases might still emerge, even as the FDA works to eliminate contamination sources at the production facility.
The recall affects products distributed to healthcare facilities, corporate offices, retail locations, and various food service venues. Food safety remains critical as the investigation continues.
Consumers with food safety questions or refund requests can reach Fresh & Ready Foods at 1-855-424-8390 on weekdays (5:00 am – 3:00 pm PST) or email RecallConcern@HotLineGlobal.com.
