12 dead in Listeria outbreak linked to nursing home shakes
Key takeaways:
- An ongoing Listeria outbreak has been traced to frozen supplemental nutrition shakes.
- Thirty-eight cases and 12 deaths have been reported in nursing homes.
A dozen people have died and nearly 38 have been sickened in a multistate Listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental nutrition shakes distributed in long-term care facilities, the CDC said.
Among the 38 people involved in the, 37 were hospitalized and 12 dead, according to a CDC food safety alert.
The shakes, which have been recalled — were manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy and distributed under the brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. According to the FDA, 34 of the 38 cases reported living in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized before becoming sick.
The CDC noted that the cases associated with this outbreak date back to 2018, but that 20 of the patients were infected in either 2024 or 2025.
“It is common for Listeria outbreaks to last several years because it is an incredibly hardy germ that can survive on surfaces for long periods of time,” CDC said its update.
The CDC said it investigated the Listeria strain multiple times, but never had enough information to identify a source beyond determining that the outbreak was being caused by something served in long-term care facilities. As part of the investigation, the FDA conducted an onsite inspection of the Prairie Farms Dairy facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Investigators collected environmental samples and found the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
The FDA and CDC said the investigation is ongoing.
References:
- CDC warns of Listeria outbreak linked to supplement shakes distributed in long-term care facilities. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-supplement-shakes-listeria-outbreak.html. Published Feb. 24, 2025. Accessed Feb. 24, 2025.
- Outbreak investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen supplemental shakes (February 2025). https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-frozen-supplemental-shakes-february-2025. Updated Feb. 24, 2025. Accessed Feb. 24, 2025.
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CDC warns of Listeria outbreak linked to supplement shakes distributed in long-term care facilities. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-supplement-shakes-listeria-outbreak.html. Published Feb. 24, 2025. Accessed Feb. 24, 2025.