A Listeria outbreak has sickened 38 individuals across 21 U.S. states, with 12 people succumbing to the illness since the outbreak's onset in 2018. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first investigated the outbreak in 2018, and subsequent investigations followed in 2021 and 2023. In October 2024, the case was reopened after six new cases were reported, leading to further scrutiny. By February 2025, investigators traced the outbreak strain to samples from Prairie Farms, prompting a recall of potentially contaminated products.
The contamination source was linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes, distributed by Lyons Magnus and manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy. Upon discovering potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Lyons Magnus initiated a recall of these products from their facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This recall is not the company's first; in 2022, Lyons Magnus had recalled products due to contamination concerns involving Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum.
"Lyons Magnus' utmost concern is protecting consumers,"
- Lyons Magnus
The affected products are four-ounce frozen shakes, specifically the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised facilities that purchased these shakes not to serve them. Consumers who possess any of the recalled items are urged to quarantine them immediately. Lot numbers for the affected products are available on the FDA's website for verification.
"Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces,"
- The FDA
Listeria poses a significant threat as it can thrive in refrigerated environments and readily spread to other foods and surfaces. Individuals affected by this outbreak range from 43 to 101 years old. The CDC has warned that the actual number of cases may exceed reported figures and that the outbreak might extend beyond the states with confirmed illnesses.
"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,"
- The CDC
Listeriosis ranks as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States, claiming approximately 260 lives annually. This recent outbreak underscores the persistent risks associated with foodborne pathogens and highlights the need for stringent food safety measures.
Prairie Farms Dairy, the manufacturer of the implicated shakes, has been working closely with health officials to address this crisis. Efforts are underway to ensure all potentially contaminated products are removed from circulation to prevent further illnesses.
