Listeria Outbreak Claims 12 Lives Amid Frozen Shake Recall
Buckle up, folks! A devastating listeria outbreak linked to some recalled frozen shakes has taken a tragic turn with 12 reported deaths and many more people sick across the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is sounding the alarm as the outbreak has impacted 38 individuals, with 37 of them landing in the hospital. Talk about a bad case of shakes!
The trouble began when these 4 oz. cartons of Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes were pulled from shelves after being traced back to a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With listeria lurking, it’s like a game of food safety whack-a-mole with lives on the line! The FDA announced the recall in late February, noting that this outbreak traces back to as far as 2018, with a troubling uptick in cases occurring in 2024 and 2025. It feels like listeria was on an extended vacation but decided to come back in a big way.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms can roll in fast or take their sweet time—showing up anywhere from the same day to 10 weeks later. Mild listeria symptoms include muscle aches, fever, and nausea, while the more severe form can lead to confusion and convulsions. It’s a nasty business, folks.
Lyons Magnus, in an effort to approach this disaster with caution, swiftly recalled their products after the contamination was identified during an FDA inspection, which found three environmental samples testing positive. A sad reality, but it looks like 34 out of the 38 infected individuals were living in long-term care facilities or hospitalized before they became ill. Long-term care settings are especially vulnerable, and this outbreak highlights the pressing need for enhanced food safety protocols in such environments.
Sysco, the distributor, shared its condolences to those affected by this needless tragedy, proving that in times of crisis, we can all feel the weight. This incident is part of an alarming trend, with listeria outbreaks sparking warnings and recalls, showing that food safety is no joke.
Stay safe out there, and remember: if it’s frozen, check the label because you might just be shaking in your boots the next time you grab a drink!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, CDC
