Table of contents
- Latest Fresh and Ready Foods Recall Lawsuit Updates
- September 5, 2025: FDA Issues Warning Letter to Compass Group USA
- July 24, 2025: FDA and CDC Declare Outbreak Over
- May 10, 2025: Fresh & Ready Foods Recalls Ready-to-Eat Foods
- What Is Listeria?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Symptoms Does Listeria Infection Cause?
- How Long After Eating Do Listeria Symptoms Start?
- What Can Listeria Do During Pregnancy?
- How Should I Clean Items That Touched the Fresh and Ready Foods Recall?
- Where Can I Report an Illness After Eating Fresh and Ready Foods?
- What Does the Research Say About the Fresh and Ready Listeria Outbreak?
Fresh & Ready Foods LLC ready-to-eat sandwiches, pastas and snack items made in San Fernando, California were linked to a Listeria outbreak. The FDA and CDC counted 10 illnesses in California and Nevada, with 10 hospitalizations and one death.
The company recalled the foods on May 10, 2025. The FDA lists the recall status as Ended, and the outbreak was declared over on July 24, 2025. The FDA sent a warning letter on September 5, 2025.
As of October 2026, no lawsuit, class action or MDL over the outbreak has been filed against Fresh & Ready Foods.
Latest Fresh and Ready Foods Recall Lawsuit Updates
September 5, 2025: FDA Issues Warning Letter to Compass Group USA
The FDA issued a warning letter to Compass Group USA (CMS #709592), the parent named in the letter, about the Fresh & Ready Foods LLC plant [1]. The letter was made public in November 2025 [2].
The agency inspected the plant from March 31 to April 15, 2025. It called the ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads, wraps and snacks adulterated.
July 24, 2025: FDA and CDC Declare Outbreak Over
The FDA and CDC announced on July 24, 2025 that the outbreak had ended and its investigation was complete [3]. The final count was 10 illnesses in two states, 10 hospitalizations and one death attributed to listeriosis.
May 10, 2025: Fresh & Ready Foods Recalls Ready-to-Eat Foods
Fresh & Ready Foods LLC recalled ready-to-eat sandwiches, pastas and snack items on May 10, 2025. The recalled foods carried use-by dates from 4/22/2025 to 5/19/2025. The FDA and CDC reopened the investigation in April 2025.
What Is Listeria?
According to the CDC, Listeria are bacteria, or germs, that can contaminate many foods. People get infected by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The CDC calls Listeria infection rare but serious [4].
Who May Be Affected?
The recalled foods were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington. They went to retailers and food service locations such as hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports and airlines.
FDA records showed the foods were served in at least three facilities where ill people were hospitalized. Only an individual legal review can say whether your own facts support a claim.
Pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest harm, the CDC says.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The FDA reports that whole genome sequencing confirmed the Listeria strain found at the Fresh & Ready Foods plant matches the strain causing the illnesses. Investigators found Listeria in environmental samples during a routine inspection.
In its warning letter, the FDA said lab tests of swabs found Listeria monocytogenes on a conveyor belt and roller and on a slicer plate.
The FDA wrote that patient isolates from California and Nevada match two swabs from the production area. It also detected the bacteria at the plant in 2017. Specimens were collected from December 3, 2023, to September 9, 2024.
Recall and Regulatory Background
The recalled foods were sold under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market, Fresh Food to Go, Fresh Take and Crave Away. They were distributed between 04/18/2025 and 04/28/2025 and are now past shelf life.
The FreshRealm outbreak, a separate CDC investigation tied to chicken fettuccine alfredo, is unrelated to Fresh & Ready Foods [5]. For wider background, see our Listeria lawsuit information.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep any records that show what you ate, where you ate it and how your illness developed:
- Photographs of any remaining packaging, labels and use-by dates on the food you bought.
- Receipts, card statements or vending records that show when and where you made the purchase.
- The place and date you ate the food, such as an office, medical building or facility.
- Medical records, test results and doctor visit notes that name Listeria as the cause of illness.
- A symptom diary with dates, so your recovery can be followed day by day.
- Messages with the seller, your employer or the local health department about the food or your illness.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. Your deadline depends on where you live and on the dates of your illness, exposure and diagnosis.
Some states start the clock at diagnosis. A missed deadline can end a claim even with strong facts, so talk to a lawyer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Symptoms Does Listeria Infection Cause?
Listeria infection may cause mild symptoms at first. They include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe listeriosis may bring headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, the FDA says.
How Long After Eating Do Listeria Symptoms Start?
Listeria symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food, the FDA says. They may start the same day. They can also start as late as 10 weeks after.
What Can Listeria Do During Pregnancy?
Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn, the FDA says. Pregnant women typically have only fever, fatigue and muscle aches. The illness can look mild.
How Should I Clean Items That Touched the Fresh and Ready Foods Recall?
Items that touched the Fresh and Ready recalled foods should be cleaned and sanitized, the FDA advises. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures. It also spreads easily to other foods and surfaces.
Where Can I Report an Illness After Eating Fresh and Ready Foods?
To report an illness after eating Fresh and Ready foods, visit the FDA Industry and Consumer Assistance page. You can file a complaint or an adverse event there. If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider to report them and get care.
What Does the Research Say About the Fresh and Ready Listeria Outbreak?
The FDA research on the Fresh and Ready Listeria outbreak includes a warning letter. It says the company’s response did not give enough information on the sources of the contamination or the sanitation program.