Frozen shakes are being recalled nationwide as a deadly Listeria outbreak spreads to 21 states

More than a dozen frozen supplemental shake products are being recalled over fears that they may be contaminated with a deadly strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The outbreak is so far believed to have hospitalized 37 people and led to the deaths of 11 individuals. Here’s what you need to know about the frozen shake recall.

What’s happened?

On February 21, food distributor Lyons Magnus issued a voluntary recall of certain ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes due to fears that they were contaminated with a strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

The shakes were manufactured by a Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lyons Magnus then distributed the shakes to institutional settings, mainly long-term care facilities (LTCF) and hospitals, in numerous states across the country.

According to a notice posted by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA), the agency was notified in November about a Listeria outbreak at multiple LTCF’s. The FDA’s traceback investigation led to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. Those shakes are now being recalled.

What products are being recalled?

Seventeen individual shake products are being recalled, according to a notice posted by Lyons Magnus. Those products include the following with select “Best Buy” dates, some of which stretch into next year:

• ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake
• ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake
• ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake
• ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA
• ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA
• ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake Plus
• ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Shake Plus
• ReadyCare Frozen Vanilla Shake Plus
• ReadyCare Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA
• ReadyCare Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA
• Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake
• Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake
• Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake
• Imperial Frozen Vanilla Shake NSA
• Imperial Frozen Strawberry Shake NSA
• Imperial Frozen Strawberry Banana Shake NSA
• Imperial Frozen Chocolate Shake NSA

The list of products with exact item numbers and Best Buy dates can be found here. The products come in 4 oz. Cartons. Images of the product packaging can be found here and here.

Where were the recalled products sold?

The recalled products were not distributed to retailers and sold to the public. Instead, they were distributed to institutions including hospitals and long-term care facilities throughout the United States.

Has anyone been harmed from consuming the products?

Unfortunately, yes. According to the FDA, the outbreak of this particular strain of Listeria monocytogenes goes back to 2018. Since then, 38 people have been infected—20 of those cases happening in 2024 and 2025.

Of the 38 known cases, 37 people have required hospitalization. Unfortunately, 11 people have died.

The FDA says that cases have been reported in the following states:

• Alabama
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Nevada
• New York 
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington
• West Virginia

What is Listeria monocytogenes?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause Listeriosis in people who consume it. People usually get Listeriosis from eating Listeria-contaminated foods.

While many healthy adults can contract Listeriosis and recover, the FDA says the disease is more dangerous for certain groups of people, including unborn or newborn babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those over the age of 65. 

Those last two cohorts are of particular concern with this outbreak as the recalled products were mainly distributed to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

There are two main forms of Listeriosis: non-invasive and invasive.

What are the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes?

According to the FDA, the symptoms of the more mild non-invasive listeriosis are:

• fever
• muscle aches
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Symptoms of the more problematic invasive listeriosis are:

• headache
• stiff neck
• confusion
• loss of balance
• convulsions

The FDA says that invasive listeriosis is a potentially life-threatening event, especially in the most at-risk groups.

What should I do if I have the recalled products?

The good news is that most households should not have any of the recalled products as they were not sold to the public at retailers.

However, institutions that may have the products in their possession—including long-term care facilities and hospitals—should not sell or serve the products and should thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers they have come into contact with. 

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