The frozen shake is being sold to nursing homes, hospitals and other agencies, and is being recalled after the drinks have been linked to years of fatal Listeria outbreaks, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
Since 2018, at least 11 people have been killed and dozens have been hospitalized, the FDA said, but previous investigations have not found a source of bacteria.
Patients were hospitalized in 37 of the 38 known cases. Of the infected, 34 were in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized with Listeria before she got sick.
Cases have been reported in 21 states, including California, Florida and New York. There have been 20 cases since January 2024, and the outbreak is ongoing, the FDA said.
The FDA said Friday that the outbreak was linked to Lyons Readycare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Shakes, which were made to supplement the meal. They come in a 4-ounce carton and flavors such as vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.
The FDA said it had been notified of the Listeria outbreak on November 25th and has launched an investigation that found connections to frozen shakes after reviewing records at facilities where people with the infection lived. Ta.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with the FDA to investigate outbreaks.
Lions Magnus, a foodservice company that distributes drinks, said in a news release on Saturday that it recalls Shakes as it could be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogen.
The company said the drink was primarily sold to long-term care facilities and was not available for retail sales.
Most people who get sick from food contaminated with Listeria will exhibit symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain for several days.
Some groups, including those over the age of 65, pregnant or with weakened immune systems, are at increased risk of contracting a serious infection. According to the FDA, symptoms can be eating contaminated foods or appearing in 10 weeks or later.
The drink was produced by Prairie Farms dairy products at a Fort Wayne, Indiana facility, Lions Magnus said. Prairie Farms did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
Food distribution company Sysco said in a news release Friday it has stopped purchasing other products offered by Lyons Magnus from its Fort Wayne facility.
“Sysco expresses the most sincere sadness to those affected by this outbreak and their families,” the company said in a statement.
