A listeria outbreak in the U.S., associated with ready-to-eat food items, has reportedly affected at least ten individuals, prompting a producer to voluntarily recall multiple products, according to federal authorities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that federal, state, and local authorities are investigating the outbreak associated with products from Fresh & Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California, noting that the ten individuals affected were in California and Nevada and necessitated hospitalization.

The agency stated that the products were distributed across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, available at diverse outlets such as retailers and food service establishments, encompassing hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines.

Symptoms of Listeria often appear within two weeks of eating food that is not safe. Mild symptoms can be fever, muscle pain, feeling sick, tiredness, being sick, and diarrhea. More serious symptoms might include a headache, a stiff neck, feeling confused, trouble with balance, and fits.

Federal authorities reported initiating inquiries into the recent outbreak last year but lacked sufficient evidence to pinpoint the infection source, stating the investigation recommenced in April upon FDA investigators discovering listeria in samples from Fresh & Ready Foods that corresponded to the outbreak strain.

Fresh & Ready Foods stated in a press release that they implemented immediate remedial measures, such as the removal of equipment, to resolve the problem.

The FDA determined that six of the ten individuals who fell ill had been hospitalised prior to contracting listeria, and that products from Fresh & Ready Foods had been served in at least three of the healthcare facilities where these patients had received prior treatment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, test specimens from ill individuals were gathered between December 2023 and September 2024.

Fresh & Ready initiated a voluntary recall of multiple products, identifiable by "use by" dates from April 22 to May 19 of the current year and sold under the brand names Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.