CDC Urges Warning of Infection Outbreak With 12 Patients Dead

The CDC’s warning, issued on February 24, 2025, shed light on the ongoing Listeria outbreak, which has now been definitively linked to supplement shakes distributed in long-term care facilities.

The infection, which has spread across 21 states, has been particularly devastating, with 38 reported cases, nearly all requiring hospitalization, and 12 proving fatal. While the outbreak dates back to 2018, the majority of infections have occurred within the last two years, underscoring the persistent and elusive nature of the bacteria.

Listeria is known for its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods, making it particularly challenging to trace and eliminate.

Health officials have long struggled to identify the precise source of contamination, despite multiple investigations over the years. However, recent advancements in environmental testing and whole genome sequencing finally provided the necessary evidence to connect the outbreak to supplement shakes served in institutional settings.

As a result, Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco have now recalled all of their branded supplement shakes that remain within their shelf life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged anyone with questions about the recall to contact the FDA directly.

The impact of the outbreak has been most severe among older adults, particularly those over the age of 65, with affected individuals ranging from 43 to 101 years old. These supplement shakes, intended for individuals on medically necessary soft diets, have been widely distributed across long-term care facilities nationwide.

However, they are not available for purchase by the general public. In response to the crisis, the CDC has emphasized the importance of swift action. Consumers have been advised to discard any recalled products immediately, either by throwing them away or returning them to the point of purchase.

Given Listeria’s ability to persist in cold environments, people are also urged to thoroughly clean any refrigerators, containers, or surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated shakes.

Businesses have been instructed to halt the sale or distribution of these products and follow FDA guidelines for proper sanitation to prevent further exposure.

The FDA suggests that businesses such as restaurants and other retailers contact local health departments and inform customers of potential exposure. They also advise keeping refrigerators at or below 40°F (4°C) and freezers at 0°F (-18°C).

Thorough cleaning and sanitation play a key role in reducing contamination. The FDA recommends washing all refrigerator shelves, walls, and surfaces before restocking food. Cutting boards, countertops, and utensils that may have come into contact with contaminated products should be scrubbed, sanitized, and, if necessary, replaced.

A simple but effective sanitation solution consists of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of clean water, applied according to manufacturer guidelines.

Display cases and food preparation surfaces should also be washed and sanitized frequently, especially in areas where recalled products were stored or handled. Hand hygiene is equally essential—employees should wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after each cleaning session.

Regular and frequent cleaning of cutting boards and utensils can further reduce the risk of cross-contamination, helping businesses maintain a safe environment for both workers and customers.

Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. The bacteria can spread beyond the digestive system, leading to a severe and potentially fatal condition known as invasive listeriosis.

In pregnant individuals, it can cause pregnancy complications, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Among older adults and immunocompromised individuals, the illness often necessitates hospitalization and, in some cases, proves fatal.

Symptoms typically manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can appear as soon as the same day or as late as ten weeks afterward.

Pregnant women may experience fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, while other affected individuals could develop additional symptoms such as headaches, confusion, seizures, or loss of balance.

Those who suspect exposure or are experiencing symptoms are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention immediately. The CDC also advises people who may have questions about cases in particular states to call that state’s health department.

The CDC’s outbreak warning comes after a granola bar and other health product company announced that it voluntarily recalled certain products as a precaution due to a potential safety hazard.

In its statement, MadeGood Foods said, “There is a very small risk that some of our granola bar products made between January and November 2024 may contain a piece of metal.” The metal is described as a small, flat brush bristle.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also announced the recall on its website on December 9, 2024. At that time, it was revealed that Riverside Natural Foods Inc. voluntarily recalled certain batches of MadeGood granola bars due to the same issue.

The FDA stated that if consumed, the metal could pose a safety hazard. MadeGood addressed the source of the issue, and regulatory authorities are aware of the recall. The company remarked that it initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution and commitment to the well-being of our valued customers.”

The company also reassured customers that they should not be overly concerned, as it received only seven complaints out of the hundreds of millions of bars sold, with no injury reports made. MadeGood urges people to check their Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and expiration dates against the affected items and return any recalled products to the stores where they were purchased for a full refund.

The returned products will be destroyed. The FDA classified the recalled products as Class II, defining it as “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

The full recall list is available in .pdf format through a link on the company’s statement on its website. It can also be found by searching here. Some of the recalled products include Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, Mixed Berry Granola Bars, Strawberry Granola Bars, Cookies & Crème Granola Bars, Chocolate Banana Granola Bars, and Chocolate Drizzled Birthday Cake Granola Bars.

It also included Chocolate Drizzled Cookie Crumble Granola Bars and Chocolate Drizzled Vanilla Granola Bars. MadeGood conducted an extensive investigation at the manufacturing facility where the recalled products were produced. The source of the issue was identified in the manufacturing process and has since been corrected.

The company confirmed that the issue has been resolved, and new processes have been tested to ensure that similar problems are fully mitigated in the future. To date, 2,408,883 granola bar products have been recalled.

Those who believe they might have a product listed in the recall can click here for more information. For additional support, customers can call the MadeGood Consumer Hotline at 855-215-5695 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

MadeGood products are sold throughout the US, Canada, and internationally in various retail stores and online. The company said it is working with retailers to ensure all recalled products are promptly removed from shelves.

MadeGood’s granola bars are not the only food products that have been recalled in recent months. On its website, the FDA revealed that over 2,000 cases of chicken broth have also been recalled.

The recalled products were sold at Walmart stores in nine states. According to the FDA’s enforcement report, the product is labeled as “Great Value, Chicken Broth, 48 oz., Aseptic paper cartons, 6 retail units per case, 120 cases/pallet.”

The recall was initiated due to a “Potential for packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage.” The affected cartons are labeled with a “Best Used By” date of March 25, 2026, a batch or lot code of 98F09234, and the following UPCs—007874206684 for retail units and 078742066844 for cases.

The product’s manufacturer, Tree House Foods Inc., voluntarily recalled the product on December 11, 2024. According to reports, it distributed 2,023 cases to 242 Walmart stores across nine states—Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

An FDA report stated that TreeHouse Foods notified consignees of the recall by telephone. Although the recall is ongoing, the company has not issued a press release.

Walmart reportedly removed the affected products from its shelves immediately after learning about the issue. The retailer said, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority.”

The statement continued, “As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we took action to remove all impacted (products) from … select, impacted stores. We are continuing to work with the supplier to investigate.”

Walmart advised customers who purchased the product not to consume it and to dispose of it immediately. Customers can also request a full refund.