FDA Warns Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities as Contaminated Nutrition Shakes Lead to 11 Deaths
A nationwide recall has been issued for Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplement shakes after they were linked to a deadly listeria outbreak. These nutrition shakes, produced by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. at its Fort Wayne, Indiana facility, have been distributed to hospitals and long-term care facilities in 21 states, including Michigan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the outbreak has resulted in 38 illnesses, 37 hospitalizations, and 11 deaths.
The FDA is urging healthcare providers to immediately stop serving the recalled shakes and dispose of any remaining products. The bacteria responsible for the outbreak, Listeria monocytogenes, poses a significant risk to elderly patients, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Nearly 90% of those affected were already hospitalized or residing in long-term care facilities when they became ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking cases since 2018, but only recently was the contaminated product identified as the source.
Listeriosis symptoms can take weeks to develop, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of illness until patterns emerge. The FDA has confirmed that this outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, with 20 cases occurring in 2024 and 2025 alone. The widespread distribution of these supplement shakes raises concerns about how many additional patients may have been exposed before the recall was issued. While the products were not sold in retail stores, they were routinely used in healthcare settings to provide essential nutrition to vulnerable patients, making the outbreak particularly devastating.
How Listeria Contamination Poses a Serious Health Risk
The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens, capable of causing severe infections that can be fatal in high-risk individuals. The symptoms of listeriosis vary, but they typically include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and neurological issues such as confusion, stiff neck, and loss of balance. In pregnant women, listeria infections can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
One of the most concerning aspects of listeriosis is its long incubation period. Symptoms can appear weeks after consuming contaminated food, making it difficult for victims to immediately recognize the source of their illness. Because many of those affected were already hospitalized or in nursing homes, their compromised immune systems made them even more vulnerable to the infection. The fact that these nutrition shakes were specifically used to support patients’ health yet caused serious harm highlights the severity of the contamination.
Listeria outbreaks are particularly dangerous because the bacteria can survive and grow in cold temperatures. Unlike other foodborne pathogens that are eliminated through cooking, listeria can persist in refrigerated foods, increasing the risk of contamination in healthcare settings. Once the bacteria spread, they can infect surfaces and containers, making thorough sanitization crucial. The FDA has advised hospitals and care facilities to properly dispose of the recalled shakes and disinfect any areas that may have been exposed.
Legal Options for Victims Affected by the Contaminated Supplement Shakes
Patients and families who have suffered harm due to the recalled supplement shakes may have grounds to pursue legal action against the manufacturers and distributors responsible for the contamination. Product liability laws hold companies accountable when their products cause harm due to defects, contamination, or failure to provide adequate warnings. In this case, the widespread distribution of the contaminated shakes to vulnerable patients places significant legal responsibility on Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. and other entities involved in the production and distribution of the product.
A product liability lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturers for negligence in producing and distributing contaminated shakes that led to severe illness and death. Victims and their families may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and wrongful death. When a product causes life-threatening illnesses, especially in a healthcare setting where patients rely on safe nutrition, the companies responsible must be held accountable.
The process of filing a product liability lawsuit begins with gathering evidence to establish a direct link between the contaminated shakes and the illness or death. This includes medical records, FDA reports, and statements from healthcare providers. Once sufficient evidence is collected, a legal complaint is filed against the responsible parties, detailing the harm suffered and the legal basis for seeking compensation.
Why Legal Representation is Essential in a Product Liability Case
Pursuing legal action in cases involving foodborne illness requires an understanding of product liability laws, medical evidence, and corporate responsibility. Large manufacturers and distributors have legal teams dedicated to minimizing their liability, making it difficult for victims to secure fair compensation without experienced legal representation. An attorney can handle the legal complexities, negotiate with the responsible companies, and take the case to court if necessary to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.
In cases where listeria contamination results in death, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit. This allows them to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. If the manufacturers or distributors were aware of contamination risks but failed to take corrective action, punitive damages may also be awarded to prevent similar negligence in the future.
Hospitals and long-term care facilities that unknowingly served the contaminated shakes may also have legal claims if they incurred additional costs due to the outbreak. Facilities that had to implement emergency procedures, provide additional medical care, or face reputational damage due to serving the recalled product may be entitled to compensation.
Compensation Available for Victims and Families
Those affected by the contaminated supplement shakes may be eligible to recover damages, including medical expenses related to listeria treatment, lost income due to extended illness, and compensation for pain and suffering. In cases where the infection led to permanent health complications, victims may also seek compensation for future medical care and loss of quality of life.
For families who lost a loved one due to the outbreak, wrongful death claims can provide financial relief for funeral expenses and emotional suffering. Holding the responsible companies accountable is not just about compensation—it is also about ensuring that proper safety measures are enforced to prevent future outbreaks.
If you or a loved one became seriously ill or died after consuming the recalled supplement shakes, legal action may be an option. Parker Waichman LLP is dedicated to helping victims of product contamination secure justice and compensation for their suffering.
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