If you’ve been following the news lately, you might have heard about a dangerous Listeria outbreak linked to frozen nutritional shakes. Unfortunately, this contamination has hit some of the most vulnerable people—patients in hospitals, residents of nursing homes, and those with compromised immune systems. The impact has been devastating, leading to serious illnesses and even deaths.
Now, lawsuits are being filed by those affected and their families to hold the responsible companies accountable for what happened. If you or a loved one has been affected by this outbreak, you deserve justice, and you shouldn’t have to face this fight alone. At Farah & Farah, we’re here to help protect your rights by pursuing the compensation you deserve.
The Origins of the Listeria Outbreak
In early 2025, health officials traced a dangerous outbreak of Listeria to frozen nutritional shakes distributed by Lyons Magnus LLC under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands. These supplemental shakes were primarily served in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities—places where vulnerable individuals are supposed to feel safe and cared for–and were not available for retail sale.
The contamination was traced back to products manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. at their Fort Wayne, Indiana facility. By the time the problem was discovered, many people had already been exposed.
What Is the Scope of the Listeria Outbreak?
As of late February 2025:
- 38 people across 21 states have been infected.
- 37 of those individuals were hospitalized.
- 12 lives have been lost due to the outbreak.
Which States Have Been Affected by the Outbreak?
States with confirmed cases include:
- Alabama
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- West Virginia
Who Was Impacted by the Frozen Shake Listeria Outbreak?
Most of the people impacted were patients or residents of nursing homes, hospitals, or other long-term care facilities. This is because these types of frozen supplemental shakes are often provided to individuals who are already in weakened states due to illness, age, or other medical conditions. Unfortunately, their vulnerable health status made them particularly susceptible to severe complications from Listeria.
Which Frozen Shake Companies Are Involved in the Listeria Outbreak?
Lyons Magnus LLC and Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. are the two companies responsible for manufacturing and distributing the frozen shakes that were contaminated with Listeria.
Lyons Magnus LLC
Lyons Magnus LLC is a prominent name in the food industry, known for producing and marketing a wide array of products for the global foodservice and food ingredient markets. The company specializes in nutritional shakes, coffee beverages, liquid supplements, and other related products.
In this case, Lyons Magnus LLC acted as the distributor of the contaminated frozen shakes. The shakes were distributed under two brand names: Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. Despite the branding differences, both product lines were marketed and distributed by Lyons Magnus LLC and primarily supplied to hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.
Prairie Farms Dairy Inc.
Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. is a large dairy cooperative known for its extensive network of manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest. It manufactured the contaminated frozen shakes at its facility located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The FDA conducted an investigation that included an inspection at the Fort Wayne location. They collected environmental samples and swabs from the manufacturing facility and these tested positive for Listeria.
Recalls of the Contaminated Frozen Shakes
On February 20, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC initiated a voluntary recall of Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes. This recall applies to all lots and all expiration dates of these products manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. at their Fort Wayne, Indiana facility. Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. also initiated a recall and ceased all production of the affected products.
Why Were These Frozen Shake Products Recalled?
The recall was prompted by tests revealing the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium that can cause severe and even fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic illnesses.
The presence of Listeria was detected during inspections at Prairie Farms Dairy Inc.’s facility, confirming that unsanitary conditions allowed contamination to occur during the manufacturing process.
How Can a Listeria Outbreak Start?
Listeria monocytogenes thrives in environments where sanitation practices are not properly maintained. It’s commonly found in soil, water, animal feces, and contaminated food processing facilities. Poor hygiene standards, inadequate cleaning procedures, and cross-contamination during food production or packaging are all conditions that can lead to the growth of Listeria.
What Is Listeria Monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and contaminated food processing environments. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria can thrive in cold temperatures, meaning that even frozen foods are not safe from contamination. This ability to grow and spread in refrigerated or frozen products makes it especially dangerous in facilities that produce food for vulnerable populations.
Symptoms of Listeria Exposure
Some people who are exposed to Listeria may only experience mild symptoms, which can include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Symptoms typically develop about two weeks after exposure but can occur as early as the same day or as late as ten weeks afterward.
Symptoms of Listeriosis
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the Listeria bacterium. While it’s relatively rare, it’s particularly dangerous because it primarily affects individuals who are already medically vulnerable, such as those in hospitals or long-term care facilities.
People who develop listeriosis may experience:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
For those with weakened immune systems, the infection can quickly escalate to sepsis, meningitis, or other life-threatening complications.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Listeria?
While many people exposed to Listeria may experience mild to moderate symptoms, as listeriosis is fortunately rare, there are some who are more at risk of developing a more severe infection that could end up being life-threatening.
- Older adults (particularly those over the age of 65)
- Pregnant women and their newborns (It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening infections in newborns.)
- People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, living with HIV/AIDS, or having chronic medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.
- Individuals in healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, where compromised immune systems are common.
Farah & Farah Is on Your Side
If you contracted listeriosis or a loved one died due to a contaminated frozen supplemental shake, you don’t have to go through this alone. Listeria thrives in unsanitary conditions, which generally means negligence on the part of the manufacturer in maintaining the proper cleanliness needed to safely manufacture food products.
Farah & Farah is here to help you. We have experience going up against big corporations that prioritized profits over people and want to help you get the compensation and justice that you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation regarding your case. We’ll be there with you every step of the way and you won’t have to pay a dime unless your case is successful.
