February 22, 2025
Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes have been linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in longterm care facilities and hospitals since 2018, according to a report released yesterday by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Thirty-eight people have been confirmed to be part of this outbreak; twenty of the 38 cases were reported to the CDC in 2024 and 2025.
Thirty-seven of the 38 confirmed victims were hospitalized.
Eleven victims have died.
Thirty-four of the 38 known victims reported living in long term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick. Records reviewed from facilities indicated nutritional shakes were available to residents.
Outbreak cases have been reported in 21 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.
The FDA was first informed of the outbreak on November 25, 2024. The agency conducted a traceback investigation and determined (based on a review of invoices) that each of the longterm care facilities who supplied invoice information had received a frozen supplemental shake of either Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial brand.
Environmental sampling conducted by the FDA as part of its investigation confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
The FDA has been informed that certain Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes are being voluntarily recalled.
CDC is MIA—Again
Until the change in administration, an Outbreak Investigation notice from the FDA almost always was accompanied by a corresponding notice from the CDC.
A CDC outbreak notice typically summarizes demographic and epidemiological investigation results: age range of outbreak victims, time chart of when cases were diagnosed or reported, breakdown of case distribution by states, et cetera.
The CDC has not posted either notices of new outbreaks or updates to existing outbreaks since January 20th.
What the public needs to know
Symptoms of a Listeria infection
Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
General recommendations
- Distributors and foodservice customers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities who purchased or received Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes should not sell or serve these products. Carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that they touched and follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
- If you or your family member have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.
Recommendations for at-risk groups
- Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant women and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
- Pregnant women typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a Listeria infection.
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