Fresh and Ready Foods Lawsuit | 2025 Latest Updates

If you or a loved one became seriously ill—experiencing fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms, hospitalization, or worse—after consuming Fresh & Ready Sandwiches or FreshRealm chicken fettuccine Alfredo that were later linked to Listeria contamination, you may qualify to pursue compensation.

At Schmidt&Clark, we help individuals and institutions harmed by contaminated ready‑to‑eat food products. Our legal team is here to assist you in gathering evidence, assessing the severity of illness, and pursuing claims for damages. Contact us today for a free, no‑obligation consultation.

What’s the Problem?

This issue relates to outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes tied to ready‑to‑eat Fresh & Ready sandwich products and FreshRealm Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meals.

Federal health authorities linked ten confirmed Listeria infections to Fresh & Ready Sandwiches served in institutional settings between December 2023 and September 2024, including one death in Nevada.

Separately, FreshRealm meals were connected to 17 illnesses, three deaths, and one pregnancy loss across 13 states. In both cases, the contaminated foods pose severe health risks, especially to pregnant individuals, seniors, children, and immunocompromised people.

Although no class actions have been filed, we are actively reviewing potential claims involving hospitalization, fetal loss, long-term health impacts, or wrongful death [1.]

Latest Fresh & Ready Lawsuit Updates

As of mid‑2025, no civil lawsuits, class actions, or multidistrict litigation have been filed regarding either the Fresh & Ready or FreshRealm outbreaks. No settlements or court rulings have been disclosed. That said, as soon as individual cases emerge—especially wrongful death or long‑term illness—litigation is expected to follow swiftly.

Fresh & Ready Lawsuit Statistics

Because litigation has not begun, there are currently no statistics available on the number of claims filed, settlement amounts, or broader economic impact such as medical costs, lost wages, or counseling expenses.

FDA, USDA & Health Reports

• Fresh & Ready Foods LLC products were recalled on May 10, 2025, following investigation by the FDA and CDC confirming Listeria presence in environmental samples from their San Fernando, CA facility.
• Between December 2023 and September 2024, 10 people in two states were infected—ten hospitalizations and one death (Nevada) confirmed.
• FreshRealm chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals, produced before June 17, 2025 and sold via Walmart and Kroger, were linked to a national outbreak involving 17 cases, three confirmed deaths, and one fetal loss.
• At least 16 of the 17 FreshRealm patients were hospitalized, and the outbreak strain was found in both patient specimens and product samples.

Potential Injuries & Side Effects

Exposure to contaminated food products may result in:

• Invasive listeriosis: bloodstream infection, meningitis, sepsis—requiring hospitalization.
• Pregnancy complications: miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, congenital infection.
• Neurological or long-term health issues: especially in newborns or immune‑compromised individuals.
• Emotional trauma & caregiving burden: prolonged illness, grief, or caretaking responsibilities.

Do You Qualify for a Fresh & Ready Lawsuit?

• You (or a dependent) consumed a Fresh & Ready sandwich or FreshRealm Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meal between late 2023 and mid‑2025.
• You developed medically documented symptoms or complications consistent with Listeria infection.
• A child, infant, or pregnant individual suffered adverse outcomes—diagnosed infection, miscarriage, or neonatal illness.
• You have documentation: purchase records, medical reports, hospitalizations, or diagnostic testing.
• No legal claim has yet been submitted; you wish to evaluate grounds for filing.

Evidence Required for a Claim

• Medical documentation: lab-confirmed Listeria, hospitalization records, fetal/neonatal assessments.
• Product information: packaging photos, receipts, meal brand identifiers, timestamps.
• Timeline and exposure account: when the product was consumed, onset of illness, and treatment timeline.
• Recall confirmation: FDA or USDA recall notices listing affected products and lot use-by dates.

Damages You Can Recover

If you became ill or lost a loved one, compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including hospitalization and follow‑up care.
• Lost income or caregiver wages due to illness or recovery.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress compensation for survivors or caretakers.
• Wrongful death damages—including funeral costs and loss of support.

Recall Information

• Fresh & Ready recall: May 10, 2025 by Fresh & Ready Foods LLC (FDA/CDC coordinated).
• FreshRealm recall: Mid‑June 2025 for chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold by Walmart and Kroger; produced prior to June 17.
• Affected products: Fresh & Ready branded sandwiches/snacks with use-by dates April‑May 2025; FreshRealm Chicken Alfredo meals under establishment numbers P‑50784, P‑47770, P‑47718.
• Distributed in: Multiple states including California, Nevada, Ohio, Florida, and others; institutional foodservice settings and retail chains.
• Consumer action: Do not eat affected products. Discard or return for full refund. Seek medical help if symptoms arise.

Statute of Limitations

Personal injury and wrongful death claims typically must be filed within two to three years from the date of illness onset or discovery. Public notices and recalls began in mid‑2025, so those affected should consult legal guidance promptly to preserve their rights. Some states provide exceptions or extended deadlines for pregnancy‑related or latent illnesses. Contact an attorney right away to confirm applicable timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I file a lawsuit? Reach out to an experienced foodborne illness or product liability attorney to review your medical and product records.
• Who qualifies? Consumers or dependents who consumed the recalled items and suffered confirmed illness, hospitalization, pregnancy loss, or death.
• Can I claim if no illness occurred? Possibly, if emotional or operational disruption occurred (e.g. institutional service interruption), but physical harm cases require documented health impact.
• What documentation should I keep? Medical records, product packaging, receipts, symptom logs, recall notices.
• Are lawsuits underway? Not yet; no public litigation or class actions are known as of this publication.
• What damages are available? Medical costs, lost income, emotional and physical suffering, and wrongful death compensation.
• What should institutions do? Stop all service of recalled products, follow disposal or refund instructions, and document affected stock.
• How can I verify if my product is included? Use product codes, brand names, or establishment numbers listed in recall announcements on FDA or FSIS sites.

References

1. https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/fresh-ready-sandwiches-and-freshrealm-chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-listeria-outbreaks/