Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. has issued a recall for frozen nutritional shakes produced in its Fort Wayne, Indiana, facility. Under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brand names, these products are supplied directly to institutions involving long-term care centers and facilities.
The official notice from Lyons Magnus LLC states that the product is suspected of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. It is an organism that causes severe systemic infections in susceptible newborns, children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can lead to the development of illness among consumers from a few days up to several weeks after consumption. Patients with infections typically experience initial symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pains nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Medical complications during infection progression include severe headaches with neck stiffness and confusion besides loss of coordination.
Foodservice providers throughout the nation received the tainted frozen shakes from Lyons Magnus LLC which were present in both healthcare facilities and elder care residences.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local agencies are continuing an ongoing investigation to determine the origins of the outbreak. Lyons Magnus LLC issued an official recall for 4 oz. packages of its affected nutritional shakes on February 22, 2025. Analysis of the environmental specimens from Prairie Farms’ Fort Wayne facility proved positive for contamination of Listeria monocytogenes through laboratory testing. Whole Genome Sequencing tests proved the analyzed Listeria matches the genetic characteristics of the strain causing the ongoing outbreak. DNA analysis methods produce complete genetic profiles of living beings that help investigators determine the separation between species. FDA uses this technology to monitor foodborne pathogens during outbreaks and creates innovative applications that strive to reduce domestic and international mortality due to foodborne illness.
The health department has confirmed that there are 38 Listeria monocytogenes cases in 21 states which were reported by February 24, 2025. The outbreak has resulted in 38 reported cases across 21 states with 37 hospitalizations and 12 confirmed deaths.
Foodservice operations that bought affected items from the recall should remove all remaining products and clean the surfaces to prevent cross-contamination. Facilities must thoroughly clean all storage areas and equipment that came into contact with recalled items to prevent cross-contamination. The FDA recommends specific sanitation methods since Listeria remains active in cold storage temperatures and spreads rapidly.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of a Listeria infection must receive immediate medical care. Healthcare professionals should be notified if a patient has been exposed to food contamination.
Regulatory agencies are actively investigating the outbreak and will provide updates as new evidence emerges. FDA and CDC regulatory agencies collaborate with Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. and Lyons Magnus LLC through regular communication to safeguard public health and prevent additional infections from developing.
References: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes (February 2025). Published February 2025. Accessed February 2025. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-frozen-supplemental-shakes-february-2025
