Search Here

A deadly listeria outbreak has been traced to frozen nutrition shakes sold to long-term care facilities, leading the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a nationwide recall.

The affected shakes, sold under the brand names Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial, have been linked to at least 38 illnesses across 21 states, with 11 deaths.

The FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is actively investigating the outbreak, which began in 2018 but has seen an uptick in cases since January 2024.

According to USA Today, the recall includes all Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen shakes that are still within their shelf life.

These shakes are sold to hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities as meal supplements in flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.

They come in four-ounce cartons and were distributed by Lyons Magnus, a food service company. The shakes are not available for retail sale.

As of February 21, the FDA has confirmed that nearly 90% of those infected were residents of long-term care facilities or had been hospitalized before falling ill.

Listeria infections can take weeks to show symptoms, making it challenging to quickly identify the contaminated product.

Flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea, are common signs of listeriosis, especially in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

FDA Warns Healthcare Providers of Listeria Risk in Frozen Shakes

The outbreak has affected residents in various states, including California, Florida, and New York. The FDA has urged healthcare providers to be vigilant in identifying symptoms, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Infections can lead to serious health complications, including death, if not treated promptly. The FDA also highlighted that most people who get sick from listeria show symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle aches. However, it can take up to 10 weeks for symptoms to appear, NY Times said.

Despite earlier investigations, the source of the outbreak remained unclear until November 2024, when the FDA began reviewing records and traced the contamination back to the frozen shakes.

The manufacturer, Lyons Magnus, announced the voluntary recall after confirming the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the shakes produced at a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sysco, a major food distributor, also recalled the shakes and ceased purchasing additional products from the facility.

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the Listeria bacterium, which is typically found in contaminated food.

It is especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.