What if the nutritional shakes meant to help you recover were actually killing people? That’s exactly what happened with frozen shakes distributed under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands, recalled by the FDA for a reported Listeria outbreak.
Intended for hospitals and long-term care facilities, these shakes became the source of a devastating Listeria outbreak, one that silently sickened people for years before anyone realized what was happening.
By the time the truth came out, 42 people were infected, 41 were hospitalized, and 14 had died. All from shakes that were supposed to promote healing.
This is the shocking story of how a common food product turned lethal and why the FDA and CDC launched one of their most thorough investigations in recent memory.
A Hidden Threat in the Healthcare System
The outbreak’s origins go back as far as 2018. For years, isolated cases of listeriosis popped up in hospitals and care facilities. It wasn’t until much later that anyone thought they could be linked.
On November 25, 2024, the FDA was alerted to a possible multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. The CDC was already aware that some patients had consumed frozen nutritional shakes, and many of them were elderly or immunocompromised, exactly the kinds of people most vulnerable to Listeria.
The drinks in question were 4 oz. frozen shakes made by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., distributed under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands. These shakes were widely used in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional settings.
Listeria is especially dangerous because symptoms often show up much later, anywhere from the same day up to 10 weeks after exposure. That delay made it harder to identify the source early on.
Symptoms and Risks of Listeria
For healthy people, a Listeria infection might feel like mild food poisoning: fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle aches. But for high-risk individuals, pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, it can be far more serious.
In these groups, listeriosis can cause
- Meningitis
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Miscarriages or stillbirths
- Death
Timeline of the Outbreak
Here’s how the events unfolded:
- 2018–2024: Sporadic Listeria cases appear in hospitals and nursing homes.
- November 25, 2024: The FDA is notified of a potential outbreak involving Listeria monocytogenes.
- February 6, 2025: The FDA launches a full traceback investigation.
- February 14, 2025: Environmental samples are collected from Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- February 21, 2025: 38 illnesses confirmed across 21 states, with 11 deaths reported.
- February 22, 2025: Lyons Magnus voluntarily recalls 4 oz. frozen shakes under both brands.
- May 16, 2025: CDC officially closes the outbreak investigation.
- Final Count: 42 sick, 41 hospitalized, 14 dead.
What the FDA Found
The facility at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where these shakes were manufactured, underwent a detailed inspection. FDA investigators collected environmental samples, and three tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. More alarming was that whole genome sequencing confirmed the bacteria matched the strain found in infected patients.
The inspection led to immediate regulatory action and the voluntary recall of the contaminated products.
Product Recall Details
The recalled products included Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial 4 oz. frozen shakes in various flavors and formulations, including “Plus” versions and “NSA” (no sugar added) variants. These were distributed nationwide and primarily through foodservice channels serving healthcare institutions.
| Item Number | Product Name | Best By Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1733 | ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1734 | ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1735 | ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1736 | ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1737 | ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1747 | ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake Plus | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1749 | ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake Plus | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1754 | ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake Plus | 022125 to 022126 |
| 1844 | ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3633 | ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3338 | Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3339 | Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3340 | Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3341 | Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3342 | Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3364 | Imperial Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
| 3699 | Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA | 022125 to 022126 |
Who Was Affected?
Out of the 42 people infected:
- 41 were hospitalized.
- 14 died.
Those affected were primarily older adults in long-term care facilities, immunocompromised individuals, and patients recovering from illness. These were people already struggling with health issues, and the shake that was supposed to support their recovery became the thing that endangered them further.
Why It Took So Long to Catch
Several factors made it difficult to trace the outbreak:
- Listeria has a long incubation period (up to 10 weeks).
- The shakes were often served in institutional settings, making personal tracking harder.
- Frozen products have long shelf lives, so older batches remained in circulation.
- Symptoms mimicked other conditions common in hospitalized patients, like fever or gastrointestinal issues.
It wasn’t until genomic testing connected clinical samples from infected patients to the exact strain found in the Prairie Farms facility that the investigation broke wide open.
What You Should Do Now
While the outbreak is officially over and the products recalled, consumers, caregivers, and healthcare workers must remain alert.
- If you work in foodservice or healthcare, check that none of the recalled shakes remain in storage.
- If you or a loved one recently consumed nutritional shakes and feel symptoms like fever, chills, fatigue, or confusion, especially if you’re in a high-risk category, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
- Disinfect any areas where recalled products were stored or served. Listeria can survive refrigeration and spread through surfaces and equipment.
The Bigger Picture
This tragic outbreak is a wake-up call. The food safety systems we rely on, especially in healthcare environments, need constant monitoring and rapid response protocols. Products intended for the most fragile populations must go through rigorous safety checks, and any lapses in facility sanitation can have life-or-death consequences.
The FDA and CDC emphasized how advanced testing and interagency cooperation helped crack this case. But it also shows that early warning signs were missed for years. That can’t happen again.
