Federal health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness, connected to a variety of frozen, ready-to-eat meals produced by a single company. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, has issued a public health alert after interviews with sickened individuals and laboratory testing identified a common source in these widely distributed consumer products.
The investigation has so far identified 17 illnesses and 16 hospitalizations across six states, including one death that authorities have linked to the outbreak. The contaminated products were sold under the “Freshly” brand name at major national chains, including Walmart, Kroger, Target, and Publix. The parent company, Freshly Inc., has voluntarily ceased production at the implicated facility and issued a broad recall of the affected meals as federal and state agencies work to determine the full scope of the contamination and prevent further illnesses.
Scope of the Public Health Investigation
Public health investigators have been tracking this cluster of illnesses for several weeks, using advanced molecular testing to connect cases that were geographically widespread. The CDC reports that illnesses began on dates ranging from early July to late August. The affected states currently include Pennsylvania with four cases, New York and Florida with three cases each, and Georgia, Ohio, and Massachusetts with two cases each. Officials note that the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, as some individuals recover without medical care and are never tested for Listeria.
Epidemiological Evidence
The breakthrough in the investigation came from a combination of patient interviews and genetic analysis. State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. A significant majority of those interviewed reported consuming Freshly brand frozen meals. This provided epidemiologists with a strong common link. Concurrently, laboratory scientists performed whole genome sequencing on bacteria samples taken from sick individuals. The analysis showed that the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria from these people were genetically closely related, indicating they likely became ill from eating the same contaminated food.
Case Demographics and Outcomes
The severity of this outbreak is underscored by its high hospitalization rate. Of the 17 people with confirmed infections, 16 required hospital care, a rate of nearly 94%. The single death occurred in an individual in Florida who had a weakened immune system. The ages of those who fell ill range from 38 to 92, with a median age of 71. This age distribution is consistent with known risk factors for severe listeriosis, which disproportionately affects older adults. Five of the cases involved pregnant women, resulting in two premature births; thankfully, the newborns have thus far tested negative for the infection.
Identifying the Contamination Source
Once patient interviews pointed toward a specific brand of meals, the FDA initiated a traceback investigation to pinpoint the source of the pathogen within the supply chain. This process involves meticulously tracking the food from the consumer’s plate back through distribution centers and ultimately to the processing facility where it was made. The meals in question were all produced at a single Freshly Inc. facility located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Product Testing and Facility Inspection
A key piece of evidence emerged when the New York State Department of Health collected an unopened package of a Freshly brand “Homestyle Turkey with Mac and Cheese” meal from a sick person’s home. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in the meal. Following this discovery, FDA investigators, working with the company, collected environmental swabs from the Phoenix production facility. Several of these swabs, taken from food-contact surfaces and other areas within the plant, also tested positive for the same outbreak strain. This confirmed the facility as the source of the contamination.
Recalled Products and Retailers
In response to these findings, Freshly Inc. issued a voluntary recall for all frozen meals produced at its Phoenix facility between June 1 and August 26. The recall encompasses more than a dozen different products, including popular meals such as “Italian Style Chicken Parmesan,” “Savory-Sweet Teriyaki Chicken,” and “Homestyle Turkey with Mac and Cheese.” The products were packaged in single-serving plastic trays with a cardboard sleeve and can be identified by establishment number “EST. 4523B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for any Freshly brand meals with “Best By” dates from August 2025 through October 2025.
Understanding the Pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis. It is particularly dangerous because it can survive and even grow in the cold temperatures of a refrigerator, making it a persistent threat in ready-to-eat foods that are not cooked before consumption. While freezing does not kill the bacterium, proper cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F will.
Symptoms and Incubation Period
Listeriosis can manifest in different ways. Some people may experience only intestinal illness with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, which typically begin within 24 hours of eating contaminated food. However, the more severe form is invasive listeriosis, which occurs when the infection spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The time from exposure to the onset of these symptoms can be unusually long, ranging from one to four weeks, and in some cases, up to 70 days. This long incubation period can make it difficult for people to remember what they ate and for investigators to trace the source.
High-Risk Populations
While healthy individuals can be affected, listeriosis primarily impacts specific vulnerable groups. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other people to get a Listeria infection. An infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn. Adults aged 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems due to conditions like cancer, kidney disease, or diabetes are also at significantly higher risk for developing invasive listeriosis.
Official Recommendations for Consumers
The CDC and FDA have issued clear guidance for consumers to protect themselves. The primary message is to not eat, sell, or serve any of the recalled Freshly brand frozen meals. Officials stress that even if some of the meal has been eaten and no one has gotten sick, the product should be disposed of immediately.
Checking Freezers and Disposing of Products
Consumers should check their freezers for any meals covered by the recall notice. A full list of recalled products, including UPC codes and “Best By” dates, is available on the FDA and Freshly Inc. websites. The recalled items should be thrown away in a sealed bag placed in a closed trash can or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures
Because Listeria can survive for long periods in a freezer or refrigerator and can contaminate other foods and surfaces, thorough cleaning is critical. The CDC recommends washing the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards, and any countertops or utensils that may have touched the recalled products. These surfaces should be cleaned with hot, soapy water and then sanitized with a solution of one tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per one gallon of water. Wash hands with warm water and soap after handling the products and before and after cleaning.