12 Deaths Reported amid Listeria Outbreak Linked to Recalled Frozen Shakes
The outbreak has infected 38 individuals, 37 of whom have been hospitalized, and 12 who have died
The outbreak has infected 38 individuals, 37 of whom have been hospitalized, and 12 who have died courtesy FDA Photo examples of recalled shakes:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/recalled-sysco-and-lyons-imperial-nutritional-shakes-25_02242025-77e90a768f2f4fef97b55645b4e1bbdd.jpg "12 Deaths Reported amid Listeria Outbreak Linked to Recalled Frozen Shakes")
A listeria outbreak linked to recalled frozen shakes has left 12 people dead, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On Monday, Feb. 24, the FDA announced that the listeria outbreak involving 4 oz. cartons of Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes reported from 21 states has left 38 people infected. Of those 38 people, 37 were hospitalized and there were 12 deaths reported.
Listeria is "bacteria (germs) that can contaminate many foods," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains on its website.
People who consume the contaminated items begin experiencing symptoms as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, per the FDA.
Related: 2 Million Doughnut and Pastry Products Have Been Recalled from Stores Due to Potential Listeria Contamination courtesy fda Photo examples of recalled shakes
A joint investigation between the FDA and CDC showed that the outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, with 20 cases across 2024 and 2025, and is currently ongoing.
"Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations were unable to identify a source of the outbreak," the FDA said.
Lyons Magnus announced on Saturday, Feb. 22, that it was voluntarily recalling the shakes due to potential listeria contamination after they were recalled by their manufacturer, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., from a Prairie Farms facility in Fort Wayne, Ind.
As part of its investigation, the FDA conducted an onsite inspection and collected environmental and product samples at the facility, the agency said. Three of the environmental swabs collected from the processing area tested positive.
According to Lyons Magnus, the recalled shakes were distributed primarily to "long-term care facilities and were not available for retail sale." The FDA said 34 of the 38 infected so far reported living in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized before becoming sick.
Related: FDA Recalls Baby Powder Sold in 35 States for Possible Asbestos Contamination courtesy fda Photo examples of recalled shakes
Lyons Magnus said that after learning of the issue, it "took immediate action to halt the purchase of all products from the affected Prairie Farms facility, notify customers, and ensure that impacted products were removed from distribution nationally."
Sysco expressed similar sentiments in a statement, extending its "most sincere condolences with those affected by this outbreak and their families."
PEOPLE has reached out to Prairie Farms Dairy for comment.
According to the FDA, mild symptoms of listeria to look out for include muscle aches, fever, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
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"If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions," the FDA explains.
