The following is from the FDA.

Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes (February 2025)

Do not sell or serve Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Product

All frozen supplemental shakes under brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial within shelf-life.

Frozen supplemental shakes under brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial were sold to institutional settings such as long-term care facilities (LTCF).

Symptoms of Listeriosis (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:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

Stores Affected

Frozen supplemental shakes were distributed to foodservice customers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Status

Ongoing.

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
• 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.

Current Update (February 21, 2025)

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes.

On November 25, 2024, FDA was notified about an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in the United States, with many ill people residing in long-term care facilities (LTCF) prior to illness onset.

FDA’s traceback investigation identified that each of the LTCFs who supplied invoice information for review from 2024 to present received a frozen supplemental shake of either Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial brand.

As part of this investigation, FDA collected environmental samples and found the outbreak strain of Listeria.

According to CDC, this outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, with 20 cases across 2024 and 2025, and is currently ongoing.

Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations was unable to identify a source of the outbreak.

As of February 21, 2025, a total of 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 21 states. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 37 people have been hospitalized. Eleven deaths have been reported.

Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 34 (89%) 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.

FDA has been informed that certain Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes are being voluntarily recalled. FDA is working with the recalling firms. FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Case Counts

• Total illnesses: 38
• Hospitalizations: 37
• Deaths: 11
• Last specimen collection date: January 23, 2025

States with Cases

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.

Useful Links

• Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
• Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers
• What is Listeria?

Who to Contact

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), visit FDA Industry and Consumer Assistance.

Follow FDA updates on X (formerly Twitter).

Read the full FDA report here.

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