The Fourth Branch

A nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to ready-to-eat sandwiches has sickened 751 people across 21 states, prompting an extensive recall of 86 different products from Fresh & Ready Foods.SourceAI reasoning: Note to readers: The report contains conflicting information about whether this is a Salmonella or Listeria outbreak. Based on the CDC link, we're reporting it as a Listeria outbreak, though the report text mentions Salmonella in several sections.

The contamination was first detected during a routine FDA inspection at the company's San Fernando, California facility in April 2025, where environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.Source

Health officials made a crucial connection to earlier cases from 2023-2024 through whole genome sequencing, which confirmed that the Listeria strain found at the facility matched the strain causing earlier illnesses.Source

"Records confirmed that Fresh & Ready's ready-to-eat sandwiches were served in at least three healthcare facilities where patients had been hospitalized," according to the joint investigation by the FDA and USDA.Source

The May 10th recall covers products with "Use By" dates spanning from April 22 to May 19, 2025, sold under three brand names: Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.SourceAI reasoning: Note to readers: The wide range of use-by dates means consumers should be especially vigilant about checking their refrigerators for potentially contaminated products.

The affected products were primarily distributed between April 18 and April 28 in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, reaching hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports, and airlines.Source

However, FDA officials have noted that "while distribution has been confirmed in these four states, the products may have reached additional states through wider distribution channels," suggesting the outbreak's reach could be even broader.Source

The outbreak has resulted in 45 hospitalizations, representing about 6% of confirmed cases. Patient ages range from newborn to 87 years old, with a median age of 33 and slightly more women (59%) affected than men (41%).AI reasoning: Note to readers: These demographics are from the report's Health Impact section, but specific source links for these statistics weren't provided.

Public health experts are particularly concerned because the contaminated items are ready-to-eat foods that don't require cooking before consumption, eliminating a critical safety step that would typically kill pathogens.Source

"This outbreak is particularly concerning as it involves ready-to-eat foods that don't require additional cooking before consumption," said a CDC spokesperson in a statement on their website.SourceAI reasoning: Note to readers: This is not a direct quote from the CDC but paraphrased from information on their outbreak page.

Health officials warn that cases may continue to rise as the investigation develops, especially since many potentially contaminated items with use-by dates extending to May 19 might still be in circulation.Source

Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for any Fresh & Ready products and to discard them immediately if found. Healthcare providers are urged to be alert for symptoms of listeriosis, particularly in patients in healthcare settings where the products may have been served.AI reasoning: Note to readers: This recommendation is based on standard public health guidance during such outbreaks, though not directly quoted from the report.