How Are Hospitals and Care Facilities Being Affected by Contaminated Products?
Federal health officials reported that 11 people have died in a listeria outbreak tied to frozen supplemental shakes distributed to hospitals and long-term care facilities across the United States. The FDA announced on February 21, 2025, that the contaminated products have sickened 38 people in 21 states, with 37 requiring hospitalization. Sysco Imperial and Lyons ReadyCare supplemental shakes have been identified as the source of the infections in an outbreak that dates back to 2018 but continues to cause new illnesses, with the most recent case reported on January 23, 2025.
5 Key Points
- The outbreak has caused 38 illnesses, 37 hospitalizations, and 11 deaths across 21 states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas.
- Lyons Magnus LLC recalled 17 specific varieties of 4 oz. ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes on February 22, 2025
- All recalled products have best-by dates from 022125 to 022126
- Twenty new cases have been reported in 2024 and 2025, indicating the outbreak remains active.
- The affected products were distributed nationwide to hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Where Have Contaminated Supplemental Shakes Been Distributed?
The FDA reported that the contaminated supplemental shakes were distributed nationwide, primarily to food service customers such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. Cases have been confirmed in 21 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. These institutional settings typically serve vulnerable populations, including elderly patients and those with compromised immune systems who are most susceptible to severe listeria infections.
The products were manufactured at a Prairie Farms Dairy facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana facility. A major food distributor, Sysco, immediately recalled the supplemental shakes and notified its customers about the potential contamination. The company has also stopped purchasing other products supplied by Lyons Magnus from the same manufacturing facility.
“Sysco expresses our most sincere condolences with those affected by this outbreak and their families,” the company stated on February 21. “Food safety is and will continue to be our top priority, and our focus will always be on improving these programs that protect our customers and our communities from foodborne illnesses.”
The FDA has indicated that its investigation into the outbreak remains active as officials work to determine the full scope of distribution and contamination.
Which Specific Products Have Been Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination?
On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC initiated a comprehensive recall of seventeen varieties of 4 oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. The recalled products include multiple flavors in regular and no-sugar-added (NSA) formulations, with best-by dates ranging from 022125 to 022126.
A detailed illustration showing the impact of a Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated food sources.
The wide variety of recalled products suggests a systematic contamination issue within the manufacturing facility rather than contamination limited to a single product line or flavor. This comprehensive recall aims to remove all potentially affected products from healthcare facilities nationwide to prevent additional illnesses.
The FDA emphasizes that institutions should check their freezers for any remaining recalled products and either return them to the distributor or dispose of them immediately to prevent further infections.
When Did Health Officials First Detect the Listeria Outbreak?
According to the CDC, the listeria outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, suggesting a long-term contamination issue that remained undetected for several years. Despite the extended timeline, the outbreak has intensified recently, with 20 of the total 38 cases reported in 2024 and 2025 alone. The most recent specimen collection date was January 23, 2025, indicating the outbreak remained active just one month before the FDA’s announcement.
The persistence of infections over multiple years presents significant challenges for investigators trying to trace the source of contamination. Listeria bacteria can survive in cold environments, including refrigerators and freezers, making frozen products particularly susceptible to long-term contamination issues if proper manufacturing protocols are not followed.
The FDA announced the connection between the illnesses and the supplemental shakes on February 21, 2025, after laboratory testing and epidemiological evidence linked the products to the outbreak strain of listeria. The quick timeline between identification and recall – with Lyons Magnus initiating the recall on February 22 – demonstrates the serious nature of the contamination and the coordinated response between regulatory agencies and manufacturers.
What Symptoms Should People Watch For After Consuming These Products?
Listeria infections can cause symptoms that may appear days or weeks after consuming contaminated food. Initial symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, which can be mistaken for other common illnesses. However, more severe symptoms may develop if the infection spreads to the nervous system, including a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or seizures.
The CDC warns that certain groups face substantially higher risks of severe outcomes from listeria infections. Those most vulnerable include older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with weakened immune systems – precisely the populations often residing in or receiving care at the hospitals and long-term care facilities where these supplemental shakes were distributed.
Medical professionals recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms of listeria infection after potentially consuming the recalled products should seek medical attention immediately. While most people with mild cases may not require treatment, antibiotics can be crucial for treating severe infections and preventing life-threatening complications.
The nearly 100% hospitalization rate in this outbreak – 37 of 38 cases requiring hospital care – underscores the severity of these infections and the importance of prompt medical attention.
A medical infographic displaying common symptoms associated with Listeria infections.
Why Is Listeria Particularly Dangerous in Institutional Settings?
Listeria poses a unique threat in institutional healthcare settings because it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations commonly found in these environments. The bacteria, which is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, kills approximately 260 people annually, according to CDC data.
Hospitals and long-term care facilities often serve patients with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses, or advanced age – all risk factors for developing severe listeriosis. Supplemental nutrition shakes are frequently used in these settings to provide additional nutrients to patients who cannot consume adequate calories through regular meals alone.
The high hospitalization rate in this outbreak – 37 of 38 cases requiring hospital care – demonstrates the severity of these infections. With 11 deaths already confirmed, this outbreak has a fatality rate of nearly 29%, highlighting the deadly potential of listeria contamination in products served to vulnerable populations.
The widespread distribution of these products across 21 states and the high concentration of cases in large population centers such as California, Florida, New York, and Texas suggests the potential for additional cases to be identified as the investigation continues. The FDA continues to work with state health departments to monitor for new cases while determining if additional products may be affected.
FAQ
Q: Which specific supplemental shake products have been recalled?
A: On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC recalled 17 varieties of 4 oz. frozen supplemental shakes, including ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands in flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and strawberry banana, with best-by dates from 022125 to 022126.
Q: How can I tell if I’ve been affected by this listeria outbreak?
A: Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and in severe cases, stiff neck, headache, confusion, or seizures. Symptoms may begin days or weeks after consuming contaminated food. If you’ve consumed these products and experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Q: Which states have reported cases in this listeria outbreak?
A: Cases have been confirmed in 21 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.
Q: When was the most recent case identified in this outbreak?
A: The most recent specimen collection date was January 23, 2025, approximately one month before the FDA’s public announcement and the subsequent product recall.
Q: Who is most at risk for severe listeria infections?
A: Those most at risk include older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with weakened immune systems, commonly found in hospital and long-term care settings where these products were distributed.
Q: How long can listeria symptoms take to appear?
A: Symptoms of listeria infection can appear days or even weeks after consuming contaminated food, making it challenging to identify the source without proper testing.
Q: What should I do if I think I have listeriosis?
A: If you develop symptoms of listeria infection, seek medical care immediately. While most cases won’t require treatment, antibiotics may be necessary for severe infections.
Q: Are these products sold in retail stores?
A: According to the FDA, the affected products were distributed nationwide primarily to food service customers, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities, not to retail stores for direct consumer purchase.
Citations
Dillinger, Katherine (February 23, 2025). 11 deaths reported in listeria outbreak linked with supplemental shakes. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/21/health/listeria-supplemental-shakes
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, February 24). Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes (February 2025). https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-frozen-supplemental-shakes-february-2025
