Deadlier Listeria Contamination Traced to Protein Shakes in Nursing Home, Claiming 11 Lives, Affecting 38 Individuals
Listeria Outbreak Triggers Nationwide Recall of Lyons Magnus Shakes
Lyons Magnus LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of its 4oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall follows a similar recall by Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., the manufacturer of the affected products, from their facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The tainted shakes were largely supplied to long-term care facilities and were not made available for retail sale. Lyons Magnus has halted purchases from the implicated Prairie Farms facility, notified customers, and pulled the impacted products from national distribution.
As reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the contaminated products are linked to 38 illnesses and 11 deaths. Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe, sometimes fatal infections in susceptible populations, such as young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms include fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The infection may also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.
The recalled shakes were packaged in 4oz. cartons under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brand names, with lot codes and best-by dates listed on the top of each carton. Affected products bear best-by dates ranging from February 21, 2025, to February 26, 2025.
Consumers who possess the recalled products are advised to quarantine them immediately. For further information, consumers can visit the Lyons Magnus website or contact the company directly at [email protected].
The recall is being coordinated in conjunction with Prairie Farms, Sysco, and the FDA.
In total, 42 individuals were sickened during the outbreak, with all cases requiring hospitalization. Fourteen deaths were reported among the affected population, with identified patients residing in 21 states. The outbreak traced back to illnesses as far as 2018 and spanned from early 2024 through the recall in February 2025.
- The health-and-wellness concerns related to the Listeria outbreak have expanded beyond Prairie Farms Dairy, as Lyons Magnus LLC has also recalled its supplemental shakes due to possible contamination.
- This recall, though not related to retail sales, underscores the importance of mental-health awareness within long-term care facilities, given that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, could be at risk from Listeria monocytogenes.
- As general-news outlets continue coverage on the recall, it is crucial to highlight the role of nutrition in maintaining one's health and well-being, as this outbreak serves as an unfortunate reminder of the consequences of consuming contaminated food-and-drink products.
- The ongoing Listeria outbreak and the subsequent recalls are yet another example of crime-and-justice issues in the food industry, emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability to protect consumers' health and safety.
