United States: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that 38 individuals became ill and 12 died from listeria after patients consumed frozen shakes found at hospitals and long-term care facilities.
More about the news
Hospital facilities received the shakes through the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands, but these products do not reach retail markets.
The facilities sell these shakes in four-ounce cartons in three distinct flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
The FDA has urged medical facilities to remove all Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brand shakes from service right away.
The facility operated by Prairie Farms in Fort Wayne, Indiana, became the point of origin for the outbreak, which led to the production of affected shakes, the US News reported,
What have the officials announced?
The FDA announced through their report on February 24 that the tested samples revealed the presence of the pathogen listeria.
The product recalls issued by Lyons Magnus along with Sysco included Prairie Farms facility products which received sales suspension.
According to the company, “Sysco expresses our most sincere condolences with those affected by this outbreak and their families,” US News reported.
Listeria outbreak extent
Listeria presents a severe threat to pregnant women and adults of older age groups, as well as those with weak immune systems, because it frequently infects multiple food items, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, the outbreak spread throughout 21 states, yet 37 out of the 38 identified cases needed hospitalization.
The Boar’s Head deli meat production caused a deadly listeria outbreak that infected 59 individuals while killing 10 people last year.
Furthermore, “Food safety is and will continue to be our top priority, and our focus will always be on improving these programs that protect our customers and our communities from foodborne illnesses,” Sysco’s recall notice added.