Listeria outbreak traced to Prairie Farms facility in Fort Wayne
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has linked a listeria outbreak that has resulted in 12 deaths to frozen supplemental shakes produced at a facility in Fort Wayne.
The agency says the shakes—sold under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands—were made at the Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. plant at 3400 Lima Road.
The FDA said on its website that the recalled frozen supplemental shakes were distributed to foodservice customers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities nationwide. Distributors and foodservice customers are being advised to not sell the products and sanitize any surfaces they have touched.
As of Monday, a total of 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 21 states, according to the agency. Of those, 37 people have been hospitalized, and 12 deaths have been reported.
The FDA said it conducted an onsite inspection of the Fort Wayne facility and collected environmental and product samples.
“Three of the environmental swabs collected from the processing area tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes,” the agency said. “Whole Genome Sequencing analysis determined that the Listeria detected in these samples is closely related to the strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.”
A spokesperson for Prairie Farms provided a statement to our partners at WPTA-TV.
“At Prairie Farms, the safety and well-being of our consumers is of the utmost importance. I am deeply concerned by the reports of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to nutritional shakes, and my heart goes out to those affected.
In response to the FDA and CDC investigation, we have initiated a voluntary recall of the nutritional shakes produced at our Fort Wayne facility.
We have ceased production of the recalled products, and our internal teams are working tirelessly to review our production processes and food safety protocols. We are fully cooperating with federal, state, and local authorities.”
The FDA said 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. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.