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.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
USA: FDA is investigating an new outbreak of 27 cases of Salmonella Newport infections linked to a not-yet-identified food product.
USA: FDA and CDC have traced an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in longterm care facilities to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. The outbreak dates back to 2018 and is ongoing. To date, this outbreak has affected 38 individuals in 21 states. Eleven people have died.
United States
Allergy Alert: Kayco recalls Glicks Dark Chocolate Conettos (2.47 oz; Lot code 02092024) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: ZB Importing LLC recalls six varieties of Ulker Brand snack rolls, biscuits, and wafers due to undeclared wheat, egg and/or milk.
Allergy Alert: KEDAKE, INC. recalls Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks (2 lb pkgs) due to undeclared wheat, sesame, soy, yellow 5, yellow 6, and red 6.
Allergy Alert: Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC recalls “Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes” bento box snack packs (2.1 oz. / 60g; Lot #1097901; Expiration date 2/25/2025) due to undeclared wheat and eggs.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Soo Jerky Ltd. recalls Soo brand Curry Flavoured Beef Jerky (85g; All lot codes; UPC 0 65717 32614 0) and Soo brand Satay Beef Jerky (85g, 170g, 454g; All lot codes; UPC 0 65717 44590 2, 0 65717 48430 7 & 0 65717 45475 1, respectively) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert: Vaaniy Food Inc. recalls Vaaniy Foods brand Frozen Porotta Catering Pack (1 kg; Best before Aug 2026; UPC 8 902550 006384) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie Bromont inc. (Bromont, QC) recalls FROMAGE EN GRAINS FRAIS DU JOUR / Fresh cheese curds (Manufacturing or packing dates 2025-01-25, 2025-02-08, 2025-02-15) because the processing and packing methods may represent a food safety hazard.
Europe
Allergy Alert (Ireland): Tescorecalls Tesco 2 Creamy Chicken Bakes (280g; Batch 5020; Best before 31/01/2026) due to undeclared peanuts.
Allergy Alert (UK): The Vegan Patty Lady recalls Assorted Jamaican Vegan Curry Patties (multiple batch codes and best before dates) due to undeclared celery.
Allergy Alert (UK): Cheshire Farm recalls Caramelized Biscuit Ice Cream (multiple batch codes and best before dates) due to undeclared hazelnuts.
Food Safety Recall (France): MONOPRIX recalls MONOPRIX GOURMET brand Morbier 60 jours d’affinage minimum Au lait cru / 60-day aged raw milk cheese (Use by dates between 18/01/2025 and 04/02/2025) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SAUCISSONS MOIROUD recalls Saucissons Moiroud brand Saucisson pur porc / Pure pork dried sausage (mulitple varieties, lot codes, and best before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC DU VIGNOBLE recalls various le cochon de Sandra brand sausages and patés due to lack of control over manufacturing processes and fraudulent use of health stamps.
Food Safety Recall (France):SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls NOS REGIONS ONT DU TALENT brand MORBIER AU LAIT CRU DE VACHE / Raw cows milk cheese (All lots; All Best before dates between 08/02/2025 and 29/03/2025) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): COOPERATIVE U recalls JEAN PERRIN brand TOMME AUX FLEURS DU PAYS DE LA VOUIVRE AU LAIT CRU / Raw milk cheese (3 kg wheel; Use by dates between 03/02/2025 and 10/03/2025) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Saveurs de nos Régions brand Morbier au lait cru AOP / Raw milk cheese (250g; multiple lot codes and use-by dates) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): EARL CUCUILLERE recalls le Cochon du Madres brand Saucisse de foie sous vide / Vacuum-packed liver sausage (Lot 4067; Use by 30/05/2025) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FERNAND DUSSERT recalls FERNAND DUSSERT brand SAUCISSON SEC COMTE / Dry sausage (200g; Lot 0417423; Use by 11/04/2025) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FERNAND DUSSERT recalls FERNAND DUSSERT brand SAUCISSON SEC PUR PORC / Pure pork dry sausage (200g; Lot 0417422; Use by 11/04/2025) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Asia Express Food B. V. recalls NINA International Ground Egusi – Ground Melon Seeds (227g; Lot B#3100617; Best before 30.06.2026) due to Salmonella and presumptive Bacillus cereus contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar (150g; Use by 25.05.2025) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls two Burren Smokehouse organic hot smoked salmon products (Various package sizes, batch codes, and Use by dates) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall Update (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls additional batches and pack sizes of Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish cheddar cheese products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Beillevaire recalls Morbier cheese (1.5 kg; Multiple lot codes and best before dates; Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Beillevaire recalls Morbier cheese (200g; Multiple lot codes and best before dates; Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Trade recalls various cheese platters and morbier cheese (Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Trade recalls various Jean Perrin brand cheeses (Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Leclerc recalls Nos régions ont du Talentbrand Morbier cheese (250g; All lots; Use by dates 08/02/2025 – 29/03/2025; Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Norway): Fromagerie AS recalls Raclette-ost cheese (Product sold from 9 December 2024 to 20 February 2025; Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Norway): Fromagerie AS recalls Morbier cheese (Product sold from 9-24 December 2024 and from 2-20 February 2025; Product of France) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Allergy Alert (Australia): Mars Australia Pty Ltd recalls MasterFoods Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Cooking Sauce (490g; Best before 17/11/2025, 22/12/2025, 16/02/2026, 20/04/2026, 15/06/2026) due to undeclared egg.
Advertisements
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Add a third pet food company to the growing list of manufacturers whose raw cat food is suspected of having infected one or more cats with the highly pathogenic influenza virus, usually referred to as HPAI or H5N1.
Savage Cat Food
On February 17, 2025, Savage Pet Inc., a California-based company, notified its customers that Colorado State University Laboratory has tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food, and had found evidence of HPAI in one of the three lot codes tested. The state lab reported the result as “non-negative.”
The state’s action was triggered by a complaint from a pet owner, whose cat contracted HPAI and recovered.
Lot #11152026 (chicken packets) was reported by Colorado as “non-negative” and the sample was sent to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for further analysis, including testing for live H5N1 virus.
Wild Coast Raw
Just three days earlier, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WADoA), in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), alerted pet owners that several cats had contracted H5N1 infections in early February. Due to the severity of the illnesses, the owners of the cats opted to euthanize the animals.
The ODA collected samples from the cats before and after euthanization and recovered H5N1 virus from the animals, all of which were fed Wild Coast Raw pet food before becoming ill.
The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the NVSL confirmed the presence of H5N1 in the animals and in opened packages of the cat food.
Subsequent testing by the WADoA detected evidence of HPAI in sealed packages of one lot of Wild Coast pet food. Samples from this lot, reported by the state as “non-negative,” have been submitted to the NVSL for more detailed analysis.
A “stop sale” order has been issued in the state of Washington for two lots of Wild Coast LLC – Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula (Lots #22660 and #22664; Best by date of 12/2025).
Northwest Naturals
On December 24, 2024, Northwest Naturals recalled one production lot of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the Oregon Department of Agriculture detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a opened package of the product.
The testing was carried out after a cat that had been fed the product died of bird flu.
According to an update released by the company, Northwest Naturals’ co-manufacturer was subjected to an FDA investigation that began in late December and concluded on February 7, 2025. The FDA was unable to identify the source of the H5N1 virus that had been found in the company’s raw cat food.
What’s with the ‘non-negative’ results?
eFoodAlert reached out to the WADoA for clarification of the meaning of a ‘non-negative’ result (versus a ‘positive’ result), and an explanation as to why the state acted as it did without having a fully confirmed lab result in hand.
A spokesperson for the WADoA provided the following explanation:
“Our state laboratory (WADDL) detected HPAI through PCR testing in the unopened pet food samples. Non negative results indicate the presence of H5. These samples have been forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for H5N1 confirmation. As a result of Oregon’s results and our results, we’ve issued a public health alert and a stop-sale on affected product lots as a precaution.”
How is the virus getting into the pet food?
This is the $64,000 question.
All three of these companies claim to use only USDA-inspected poultry meat in their raw pet foods. Indeed, Northwest Naturals’ products are manufactured in a USDA-inspected facility, according to the company.
The USDA states clearly that HPAI-infected birds do not enter the food supply. If that’s the case, the virus must be coming from somewhere else.
Two possibilities come to mind:
The virus might be introduced into the production facility by wild birds roosting or flying about in the plant
The virus might be introduced by infected rodents—rats or mice—entering the plant
Either one of these can, and should, be controlled through proper building maintenance and an appropriate pest-control program.
Why did these recalls not make it onto the FDA’s radar screen?
Of all the outstanding questions, this is the one I find the most worrisome.
All three of these companies appear to have shipped their products across state lines. This puts them under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
Under normal conditions, recalls initiated by FDA-regulated companies are listed in the weekly FDA Enforcement Reports, and recall effectiveness is—at least in theory—monitored by the agency.
Why have none of these three recalls shown up in the FDA Enforcement Reports?
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
eFoodAlert 