Frozen Supplemental Shakes Are the Source of Long-Term, Deadly Listeria Outbreak

Frozen supplemental shakes have been determined the source of a Listeria outbreak on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) radar since late November. This deadly outbreak has eluded investigators for what appears to be seven years, with sporadic illnesses popping up in 2018 and then again with more vigor in 2024 and 2025.

Here’s what we know about the Listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes and what to do if you or a relative were sickened by the tainted products.

The Outbreak

Way back on November 25, 2024, the FDA was notified about a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. Most of those falling sick were residents of long-term care facilities prior to becoming sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been investigating this outbreak as far back as 2018, with 20 cases documented in 2024 and 2025 so far.

Overall, as of February 21, 2025, there have been at least 38 people infected with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strain. All but one patient was hospitalized. Eleven deaths have been reported so far. Nearly all (89%) were living in a long-term care facility or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick.

This multi-state outbreak has patients in the states of Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.

While there were clues, previous investigations were unable to trace the source of the outbreak.

Until now.

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Supplemental Shakes

Traceback investigation led investigators to long-term care facilities, where most of those involved in the outbreak reported staying prior to becoming sick.

Invoices for these facilities provided common suppliers and products. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes came up in those facilities.

After reviewing records, these nutritional shakes were available to residents where outbreak patients stayed.

Following up on this information, the FDA collected environmental samples. Samples tested positive for the Listeria outbreak strain.

Frozen Supplemental Shakes Recall

In response to the Listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes, Lyons Magnus LLC announced that they were voluntarily recalling 17 of their products.

The recall includes products made by the manufacturer of 4 oz Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes at the Prairie Farms facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Recalled product was distributed primarily to long-term care facilities, and according to the recall notice, were not available for retail sale.

Affected product can be identified as:

Key	Item Number	Product Name	BB (Best By)
1	1733	ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake	022125 to 022126
2	1734	ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake	022125 to 022126
3	1735	ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake	022125 to 022126
4	1736	ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA	022125 to 022126
5	1737	ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA	022125 to 022126
6	1747	ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake Plus	022125 to 022126
7	1749	ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake Plus	022125 to 022126
8	1754	ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake Plus	022125 to 022126
9	1844	ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA	022125 to 022126
10	3633	ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA	022125 to 022126
11	3338	Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake	022125 to 022126
12	3339	Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake	022125 to 022126
13	3340	Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake	022125 to 022126
14	3341	Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA
15	3342	Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA
16	3364	Imperial Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA
17	3699	Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA

Listeria Is Especially Dangerous for the Target Consumer

Even normally healthy individuals can become sick with Listeria infection if exposed. However, their symptoms are often less severe. For many, though, Listeria infections can be deadly.

The CDC says that listeriosis is the “third leading cause of death from foodborne illness” in the United States. It claims around 260 lives each year in this country.

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of becoming sick with listeriosis and experiencing serious and potentially life-threatening illness.

Those at higher risk of infection and complications include:

• People who are pregnant and their newborns
• Adults over 65 years
• Those with a weakened immune system (due to existing illness, medications, or other circumstances)

Nearly everyone with listeriosis is hospitalized. The case-fatality rate is a significant 20%. While illness may present as milder for pregnancy-associated cases, nearly one-quarter of them result in fetal loss or death of the newborn.

Listeria Symptoms

Listeriosis is a complicated illness. There are two categories of illness, depending on the location of the infection. There are intestinal illnesses and invasive illnesses. These symptoms also present differently in pregnant and non-pregnant patients.

Intestinal Illness

Intestinal illness is generally the first step in listeriosis illness. This type of Listeria infection is contained within the digestive tract. Symptoms are fairly straightforward.

Those who are pregnant often experience milder symptoms.

Common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting that usually starts within a day or so of consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These symptoms usually persist around one to three days. However, it could take up to two months for some people to show symptoms of infection.

Intestinal Listeria illnesses usually go unreported because most people experience mild enough symptoms to recover on their own without medical intervention. Treating symptoms with rest and over the counter remedies can help those people.

Even those who do seek medical help for dangerous dehydration may not be properly diagnosed unless specific diagnostic tests are performed.

Unless the illness becomes serious or invasive, antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed.

Invasive Illness

Invasive illness occurs when the bacteria spread beyond the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. This is usually done through the bloodstream. Symptoms vary widely between pregnant and non-pregnant people.

Invasive illness in pregnant people usually appears as flu-like symptoms. Fever, muscle aches, and fatigue are common. In some cases, pregnant people do not show any signs of illness at all.

The biggest risk for those who are pregnant is to the fetus or their newborn. Listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Invasive illness in non-pregnant people can also present flu-like symptoms. In addition to possible fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, these people may experience other serious symptoms. Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and/or seizures may occur.

The mortality rate of invasive illness in non-pregnant people is also high. Nearly 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their infection.

Have You Or A Loved One Fallen Sick from Frozen Supplemental Shakes and Need Help?

If you or a loved one has become sick from recalled frozen supplemental shakes from Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial, you may have a legal case.

Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous foodborne pathogen that can have serious and permanent impacts on a family. An experienced Listeria lawyer, like those at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help navigate the legal process for you and help hold those responsible for your illness accountable for their negligence.

Call The Lange Law Firm, PLLC at (833) 330-3663 or click here for a free, no obligation consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)