The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert regarding a deadly outbreak of listeria illnesses. This outbreak is linked to frozen supplemental shakes, raising significant concerns about public health and safety.
According to the FDA, there have been 11 deaths and 37 hospitalizations associated with the consumption of Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes. These nutritional shakes are primarily distributed to hospitals and long-term care facilities, making the outbreak particularly concerning.
The FDA's investigation began after notifications in November about nursing home residents falling sick potentially due to these shakes. Some cases linked to this outbreak may trace back to 2018. The FDA confirmed that 20 of the illnesses were connected to these products in 2024 and 2025. Environmental samples collected by the FDA revealed the presence of the outbreak strain of listeria in the drinks.
Cases have been reported in 20 states, underscoring the widespread nature of this listeria outbreak. This has prompted urgent action and heightened scrutiny across various regions.
Sysco revealed that Lyons supplied the company with these frozen shakes from a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sysco then distributed the products nationwide. In response to the outbreak, Sysco has ceased distribution of the affected products and informed its customers about the recall. The company expressed deep condolences to those impacted, emphasizing that food safety remains their top priority.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that listeria symptoms typically manifest 1 to 4 weeks after consuming contaminated food. However, symptoms can appear as soon as the same day or up to 70 days later. Infected individuals may experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, and muscle aches. Pregnant individuals face severe risks, including miscarriage, premature delivery, and life-threatening infections in newborns.
This serious listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes underscores the critical need for vigilance in food safety practices. The FDA and health organizations continue to investigate and manage the outbreak to protect public health.
