A minimum of ten individuals in the U.S. have fallen ill due to a listeria outbreak connected to convenience food items, prompting a manufacturer to voluntarily withdraw a range of goods, according to federal authorities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Saturday that federal, state, and local authorities are investigating the outbreak associated with products from Fresh & Ready Foods LLC in San Fernando, California. The FDA reports that the ten individuals who became ill were located in California and Nevada and necessitated hospitalization.

The agency indicated that the products were distributed across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, with sales points encompassing various retailers and food service establishments such as hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines.

Listeria symptoms usually begin within two weeks after eating food that is contaminated. Mild symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, feeling sick, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. More serious symptoms might include headache, a stiff neck, confusion, difficulty balancing, and seizures.

Federal officials stated their investigation into the recent outbreak commenced last year, yet insufficient evidence initially prevented identification of the infection source. They indicated the investigation was reactivated in April, when FDA investigators discovered listeria in samples from Fresh & Ready Foods that corresponded with the outbreak strain.

Fresh & Ready Foods stated in a press release that they undertook prompt remedial measures, such as dismantling equipment, to resolve the problem.

The FDA determined that six of the ten individuals affected by the illness had received hospital care prior to contracting listeria, and that goods produced by Fresh & Ready Foods were served in a minimum of three of the medical establishments where these patients had undergone earlier treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that patient samples were gathered between December 2023 and September 2024.

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