A Los Angeles-based food company found pressure on Listeria on devices found by federal regulators related to the outbreak that was initially discovered last year, leaving businesses in California and three other states to offer several pre-made food products.
San Fernando-based fresh food has voluntarily recalled several of its pre-made sandwiches and protein snacks, including several ham and Turkish sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, tuna pasta and street corn dam bucket snacks. These items are sold under three brands: fresh and prepared food, fresh food in the city corner market, and fresh cravings.
The voluntary recalled food was distributed in California, Nevada, Arizona and Washington from April 18 to 28 this year. It will be sold in vending machines and other settings in hospitals, hotels, convenience stores and airports, as well as in airlines. Recalled items are “used” from April 22 to May 19.
A routine inspection at fresh and ready-made facilities in April triggered a recall, the company and federal officials said. According to a news release by company and federal officials, investigators found a series of monocytic strains on a device. Fresh and ready-made workers then unloaded the equipment and took other measures to correct the problem, the company said in a statement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and even seizures. It can also include intestinal problems such as gastrointestinal and vomiting.
Listeria infection is especially severe for anyone who is pregnant, as Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause patients to interlaced, stillbirth or early delivery. This may also cause life-threatening infections in newborns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says others who are at a higher risk of developing Listeria infection are adults aged 65 and older and have a weakened immune system.
The outbreak was initially determined in 2024, when FDA officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began investigating a group of people suffering from Listeria. They did not obtain enough evidence to identify the source of the outbreak.
When researchers discovered Listeria on fresh and ready-made devices this year, FDA scientists used an entire genome sequencing analysis that confirmed that the Listeria strains found in fresh food matched the Listeria strains that broke out in 2024. This prompted officials to reopen the investigation.
In a statement released Saturday, the company said no disease was associated with the recalled food, but fresh and ready diseases used the items “as a precaution to ensure the continued safety of consumers.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least eight people fell ill from contaminated products in California in 2024, and two more in Nevada.
State and local health officials interviewed six people with Listeria and found they were in the hospital before being ill with the bacteria. Ready-to-eat foods with fresh and ready-to-use foods are available in facilities for at least three hospitalized patients.
The company said anyone who buys the food listed in the recall should throw it away immediately. Consumers can contact Fresh Food at reckconcern@hotlineglobal.com or call (855) 424-8390 from Monday to Friday to ask a question or request a full refund.
