Listeria reported in shakes used in Florida nursing homes, leading to hospitalizations and deaths
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration published an urgent warning instructing consumers to discard Prairie Farms Dairy's meal replacement shakes under the brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. The shakes are believed to be contaminated with Listeria.
So far, 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 37 people have been hospitalized, and 12 have died. It is unclear at this time if any of those who were hospitalized or died lived in Florida. Of the 38 people, most resided in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conducted an onsite inspection of the Prarie Farms plant in Fort Wayne, Ind., and collected environmental and product samples. Three environmental swabs collected from the processing area tested positive for a strain of Listeria related to the one causing illnesses in this outbreak.
The FDA says symptoms of Listeria usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. With the more serious form of Listeria, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Consumers with questions may visit the Lyons Magnus website at lyonsmagnus.com.
South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.
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