According to a CDC food safety alert, an outbreak of Listeria infections has affected 38 people across 21 states. Of those infected, 37 have been hospitalized, and 12 have died.
Over half of the cases in the outbreak, which began in 2018, occurred in 2024 and 2025.
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It is common for Listeria outbreaks to last several years because it is an incredibly hardy germ that can survive on surfaces for long periods.
The CDC has previously investigated the strain but lacked sufficient information to pinpoint a food source.
In 2025, environmental testing and whole genome sequencing identified the source as supplement shakes distributed by Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco.
Last week, Sysco sent out a statement on the recall of the supplemental shakes, notified customers, and stopped purchases of other products supplied from the Prairie Farms Dairy facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Those shakes, which have been recalled, were distributed nationwide to institutional settings like long-term care facilities and were primarily given to individuals on medically necessary soft diets.
The products are not available to the general public. The affected individuals range in age from 43 to 101, with those over 65 being the most affected.
The CDC advises against consuming recalled products and recommends disposing of them or returning them to the place of purchase.
It is also essential to clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have been exposed to the recalled products. Listeria can survive in refrigerators and spread quickly.
Listeria symptoms
- Listeria poses a significant risk to pregnant women, individuals aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems. Listeria is more likely to spread beyond the gut in these groups, leading to invasive listeriosis.
- Pregnant women may experience pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems often face hospitalization and, in some cases, death.
- Symptoms typically begin within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can appear as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
- Pregnant women usually experience fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Others may also experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
What you should do
- Avoid eating any recalled products.
- Dispose of, or return recalled products to the place of purchase.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products.
- Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms after consuming recalled products.
What businesses should do
- Do not sell or serve the recalled supplement shakes.
- Follow the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice if you have sold or served recalled products.
