A series of milkshakes has been recalled due to their connection with 11 deaths and numerous severe illnesses, particularly in long-term care facilities and medical centers. The FDA officially confirmed this unsettling news on Friday. On Saturday, Lyons Magnus, a food service company, announced the voluntary recall of all 4 oz. packs of Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes in response to a recall initiated by manufacturer Prairie Farms, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Across 21 states, a total of 38 people have been affected as of Friday. Out of these cases, 27 individuals required hospitalization, and unfortunately, 11 individuals have lost their lives. The timeline of these tragic deaths has not been disclosed by the FDA, which noted that the outbreak could be traced back over a span of seven years. Notably, 34 of the victims either resided in long-term care facilities or were already hospitalized. Documentation from these healthcare facilities indicated that the shakes were being provided to residents and patients.
The FDA was made aware of the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak associated with this product on November 25 last year, particularly highlighting a significant number of infected individuals who were residing in long-term care facilities prior to exhibiting symptoms. Upon learning of the issue, Lyons Magnus promptly took action to cease the acquisition of products from the affected Prairie Farms facility, inform customers, and ensure the removal of impacted products from distribution channels nationwide, as stated in their release.
According to the CDC, this outbreak can be traced back to 2018, although the exact reporting timeline, location, and circumstances of the infections remain unclear. Symptoms of Listeriosis, a listeria infection, typically manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but may appear as late as 10 weeks later. These symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, nausea, and in severe cases, confusion, neck stiffness, and seizures. Pregnant women, individuals over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems are considered to be at a higher risk of contracting this infection.
Tragically, an infant lost their life, and 10 adults fell ill during a listeria outbreak across four states last year, all linked to ready-to-eat meat products.
