Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Shakes Sold To Nursing Homes Linked to Listeria Outbreak

Personal Injury - February 22, 2025

11 Deaths Reported After Listeria Outbreak Linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Shakes Sold To Nursing Homes

Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Shakes Sold To Nursing Homes Linked to Listeria Outbreak

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 22, 2025) – At least 11 people have died in a listeria outbreak that was linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen shakes.

The shakes were predominantly sold to institutional customers, including long-term care facilities and nursing homes. The Centers for Disease Control said that the cases date back to 2018.

However, investigators were not able to previously determine the source of the outbreak. An estimated 38 people contracted listeria as a result of the outbreak.

Eleven of those illnesses have resulted in death. A full investigation into the listeria outbreak linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen shakes remains ongoing.

Liability for Illnesses Caused by Listeria Outbreaks

Listeria outbreaks can lead to very serious illnesses and may result in death, particularly among older people. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with weakened immune systems. It’s most commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.” There are a number of steps that companies should take in order to prevent listeria outbreaks.

  • Companies should regularly clean and sanitize all of the equipment they used to produce food.
  • Companies should use pasteurization or high-pressure processing when this is needed.
  • Companies should ensure all of their food products are maintained at a safe temperature to prevent bacteria from growing.
  • Companies should enforce strict hygiene and food safety protocols.

Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe. They must abide by all safety guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration. This requires that they keep all equipment clean and follow safety guidelines. If a company sells a product that is contaminated with listeria, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after being sickened by listeria.

  • The source of the listeria outbreak should be determined.
  • Medical records related to the outbreak should be preserved.
  • The product that may have caused the outbreak should be collected.
  • An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.

Listeria outbreaks are often highly preventable. They tend to be the results of companies that are cutting corners in terms of safety. It cost money and resources to adhere to all the relevant safety guidelines necessary to maintain a clean facility. Shortcuts could easily get made that compromise safety. It is important for victims of listeria outbreaks to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Fatal Listeria Outbreaks

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who lost someone in this deadly listeria outbreak linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen shakes. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the scope of the outbreak. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed by the listeria outbreak linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen shakes? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that food companies are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.