Frozen Supplemental Shakes Linked To Listeria Outbreak Sold In Florida

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is actively investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections tied to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes.

As of February 21, 2025, the outbreak has sickened 38 people across 21 states, resulting in 37 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.

States Affected: 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 first received notification of the outbreak on November 25, 2024, following reports of illnesses predominantly among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). Traceback efforts revealed that facilities reporting cases had received shipments of either Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial frozen shakes between 2024 and the present.

Environmental samples collected by the FDA confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of Listeria, a bacterium capable of surviving refrigeration and spreading easily to other foods and surfaces.

According to the CDC, this outbreak spans cases dating back to 2018, with a notable surge of 20 illnesses reported across 2024 and 2025. Of the 38 affected individuals, 34 (89%) were either residents of long-term care facilities or hospitalized prior to falling ill, and records from these facilities confirmed the availability of the implicated nutritional shakes. The most recent specimen collection occurred on January 23, 2025, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The FDA has advised distributors, foodservice customers, hospitals, and long-term care facilities to immediately stop selling or serving Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes within their shelf-life.

These products, sold primarily to institutional settings, should be discarded, and any surfaces or containers they contacted must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross-contamination.

Consumers experiencing symptoms of listeriosis—such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, or more severe signs like headache and confusion—are urged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.

Certain groups, including pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and individuals with weakened immune systems, face heightened risks from Listeria. While pregnant women may experience mild symptoms like fever and fatigue, the infection can lead to severe outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening conditions in newborns.