Nationwide Recall of Frozen Nutrition Shakes Due to Deadly Listeria Outbreak
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a nationwide recall of frozen supplemental meal shakes sold under the brand names Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial, following a multistate outbreak of deadly listeria infections.
Investigation and Recall
The investigation, conducted jointly by the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local agencies, has linked 38 illnesses to the outbreak, resulting in 11 deaths. Nearly 90% of those who became ill were residents of long-term care facilities or hospitalized prior to infection.
The FDA has issued a voluntary recall notice for all Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes within shelf-life.
Chronology of Outbreak and Prior Investigation
The CDC initially began tracking the same outbreak in 2018, with 20 cases occurring through 2024 and 2025. However, epidemiologists were unable to identify the source of the infections at that time. The current case numbers include both the initial 2018 incident and illnesses that have occurred since.
Affected States and Health Concerns
As of February 21, cases of listeria infections have been reported in 21 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
Listeriosis, the infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, can be severe and life-threatening, particularly for older adults, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. Symptoms of listeriosis typically appear within weeks of consuming contaminated food and may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
Additional Measures and Other Outbreaks
The recall is the second major one of 2025 linked to a foodborne illness outbreak. Last month, the FDA and CDC, along with Canadian health authorities, announced a recall of Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries linked to an outbreak of salmonella infections.
As part of ongoing efforts to address the outbreaks, the FDA is reportedly rehiring approximately 300 employees who were laid off during the recent downsizing. Similar measures are underway at the USDA, which is focused on recruiting key bird flu response workers.
Communication Gap and Public Health Concerns
However, concerns have been raised regarding a break in the CDC’s usual practice of updating its tracking webpages for foodborne illness outbreaks. USA TODAY has reached out to the agency for clarification on this matter and is awaiting a response.
The ongoing outbreak highlights the importance of food safety measures, particularly in vulnerable populations residing in long-term care facilities. Individuals in high-risk categories should seek medical attention promptly if they experience flu-like symptoms after consuming potentially contaminated food.
