Frozen Shakes Sold in Illinois Could Kill You — 12 Deaths Reported, Recall Underway

If you or a loved one have been drinking frozen nutritional shakes, you need to pay some serious attention. An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes has been linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes, and they’ve been recalled nationwide — including in Illinois.

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The FDA and CDC are investigating a deadly outbreak of Listeria tied to these frozen shakes, which were manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The outbreak has already caused 38 reported illnesses across 21 states, with 37 hospitalizations and 12 deaths. Many of those affected were residents of long-term care facilities or hospitalized before getting sick — meaning they were already vulnerable when exposed to the contaminated product.

What is Listeria, and Why is It So Dangerous?

According to the FDA, Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause severe illness, especially in older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever and muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Severe cases can lead to confusion, convulsions, and even death

Listeria is particularly dangerous because it can survive and grow in refrigerated environments, making it easy to spread to other foods and surfaces.

What Specific Products Are Recalled?

On February 22nd, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC issued a recall for 4 oz. frozen shakes sold under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands.

Recalled flavors include:

• Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry Shakes
• No Sugar Added (NSA) versions
• Plus versions with extra nutrients
• Strawberry Banana flavor

These shakes were distributed nationwide to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other foodservice providers, including locations across Illinois.

If you have these shakes, do not drink or serve them — dispose of them immediately. Additionally, clean and sanitize any surfaces they may have touched to prevent cross-contamination. If you or someone in your household experiences symptoms of Listeria infection, contact a doctor right away.

Pregnant women should be especially cautious — Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems are also at high risk of severe illness or death. This is a serious food safety crisis. Again, if you have any of these frozen shakes, throw them out immediately. Stay updated with the FDA and CDC for further information as the investigation continues.