Some of the recalled cocktails. Additional images of the affected products can be found on the FDA website. (Image credit: FDA)
The ongoing listeriosis outbreak has already killed 38 people in 21 U.S. states, with 12 of those infected having died since the outbreak began in 2018.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the outbreak on Friday (Feb. 21), and the following day, Lyons Magnus announced a voluntary recall of two products: Lyons ReadyCare four-ounce shakes and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. The frozen shakes were primarily distributed to long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, and were not available for retail sale, according to the recall.
Listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, is especially dangerous for older adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems. Newborns and pregnant women are also at higher risk of severe infections than the general population. In the current outbreak, the ages of those affected ranged from 43 to 101.
Listeria infections can either affect the intestines, causing symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, or they can spread beyond the intestines, causing “invasive” disease, which is usually more severe. Invasive infections can cause fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Listeriosis is the third leading cause of foodborne illness death in the United States, killing about 260 people each year.
The two affected brands of frozen shakes are distributed by Lyons Magnus and manufactured and shipped by Prairie Farms Dairy. Lyons Magnus initiated the recall after learning of possible L. monocytogenes contamination at a Prairie Farms plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
As of Feb. 24, federal health officials have linked 38 cases to the outbreak, including 37 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twelve deaths have occurred in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
“The true number of cases in this outbreak is likely higher than reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known cases,” the CDC said. That’s partly because symptoms of listeria infection can take up to two weeks to appear, requiring additional time to link the illness to an outbreak.
The first cases associated with the outbreak were reported in August 2018, and the last case occurred on January 23, 2025. The CDC had actually conducted investigations into this outbreak before, but previous investigations had not identified the source of the infection.
“CDC investigated this outbreak in 2018, 2021, and 2023,” the CDC said. Available data at the time suggested that a food served in long-term care facilities and nursing homes was the source of the infection, “but there was not enough information to identify a specific food.” The investigation was resumed in October 2024, when six more cases were reported, and finally, in February 2025, the outbreak strain was detected in samples from Prairie Farms. A recall was initiated shortly thereafter.
The FDA warns that establishments that purchased the recalled cocktails should not serve them. They should thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces or containers that the products came into contact with and follow the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning guidelines to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. “Listeria can survive refrigeration and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces,” the FDA emphasizes.
Consumers who have any of the recalled products should quarantine them, a Lyons Magnus spokesperson said. For additional questions, visit the Lyons Magnus website or email [email protected]. Nom
Sourse: www.livescience.com
