Frozen Supplemental Shakes Linked to Listeria Outbreak Impacting Long-Term Care Residents

The FDA and CDC are linking a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections  Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes.  This product, used a nutrient supplement, was used in long-term care facilities which would have high-risk consumers for Listeria.  Cases date back to 2018.  There have been 38 reported cases with 11 deaths.

"On November 25, 2024, FDA was notified about an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in the United States, with many ill people residing in long-term care facilities (LTCF) prior to illness onset. FDA’s traceback investigation identified that each of the LTCF who supplied invoice information for review from 2024 to present received a frozen supplemental shake of either Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial brand. As part of this investigation, FDA collected environmental samples and found the outbreak strain of Listeria."

"According to CDC, this outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, with 20 cases across 2024 and 2025, and is currently ongoing. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations were unable to identify a source of the outbreak. As of February 21, 2025, a total of 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 21 states. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 37 people have been hospitalized. Eleven deaths have been reported. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 34 (89%) reported living in long term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick. Records reviewed from facilities indicated nutritional shakes were available to residents."

Lyons Magnus LLC (“Lyons Magnus”), Fresno CA, announced that it is voluntarily recalling 4 oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes due to the potential for the products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 38
Hospitalizations: 37
Deaths: 11
Last Specimen Collection Date: January 23, 2025
States with Cases: AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WA, and WV

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-frozen-supplemental-shakes-february-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes (February 2025)
Content current as of: 02/21/2025
Do not sell or serve Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Importer Recalls Snack Products After Foreign Supplier Fails on Allergen Labeling

ZB Importing LLC. Cicero, IL, is voluntarily recalling certain lots of six varieties of Ulker Brand snack rolls, biscuits, and wafers due to undeclared wheat, egg and/or milk in the Ingredient List and/or Contains Statement on the product labels.  This mislabeling was discovered following receipt of a single consumer complaint involving an allergic reaction. The issue originated from a supplier who inadvertently failed to fully disclose all allergens while translating the ingredient list. [The company is] actively working with the supplier to implement stricter labeling controls, including an additional verification process for multilingual labels.

Ulker branded product is imported from Turkey.

The importer in this case, ZB Importing LLC., is responsible for assuring proper allergen labeling through their foreign supplier verification program (FSVP).   Allergens would have been identified on the hazard analysis for  product from that company, and the importer would need measures to ensure that proper allergen control was implemented, specifically in this case, label declaration of allergens.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/zb-importing-issue-voluntary-recall-and-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-wheat-and-milk-certain-ulker
ZB Importing Issue Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Wheat and Milk in Certain Ulker Brand Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  February 20, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergen (wheat, eggs, milk)
Company Name:  ZB Importing LLC
Brand Name:  Ulker
Product Description:  Snack rolls, biscuits, and wafers

Texas Firm Recalls Snack Mix For Missing Allergen Labeling

KEDAKE, INC. of Houston, TX is recalling it’s 2 lb packages of Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks because they may contain undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6, and Red No 6.  Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks 2 lb packages were distributed in Texas and reached consumers through both wholesale and retail stores.   The recall was initiated after the FDA discovered in a routine inspection that the product containing the Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6, and Red No 6 was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of these ingredients and subsequent investigation indicated that the problem was caused by a production printing problem with the label.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kedake-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-soy-wheat-yellow-no-5-yellow-no-6-and-red-no-6
Kedake Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 6 in Botana Mix Snacks
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 20, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  February 20, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat, sesame, soy, yellow 5, yellow 6, red 6
Company Name:  Kedake Inc
Brand Name:  Las Ollas
Product Description:  Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks and Delights 2 lb packages

PSU Food Safety News Blog Ranked in Top 10 Food Safety Blogs for 2025

 According to Feedspot, a global blog and podcast hosting site, Penn State Food Safety News is ranked as one of the top food safety blog sites in the world.  For 2025, Penn State Food Safety News is ranked #9, breaking into the top ten!

https://bloggers.feedspot.com/food_safety_blog/

Thanks to all of you who continue to support our effort in bringing you the important issues involving food safety!

Georgia Firm Recalls Snack Pack Product for Undeclared Allergens After Incorrect Back Label Applied

Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC. of Alma, GA, is recalling its 2.1 oz./60 gram packages of "Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes" bento box snack packs because they contain wheat and EGGS that were not declared on the label.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the incorrect back label was placed on the back of the package. Because of this, the allergens of WHEAT and EGGS were not listed on the label. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a production label changeover failure which has since been corrected.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/naturipe-value-added-fresh-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-eggs-berry-buddies-berries
Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Wheat & Eggs In "Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes” Lot # 1097901
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  February 19, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergen (wheat, eggs)
Company Name:  Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC
Brand Name:  Naturipe Snacks
Product Description:  Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes bento box snack packs

Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias Recalled for Undeclared Almonds

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea’au, HI is voluntarily recalling one batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.  The recall was initiated after Mauna Loa’s internal quality control process identified that the affected batch, manufactured by a third-party co-manufacturer, contained undeclared almonds. Immediate action was taken to contain the affected product, notify the third-party co-manufacturer, alert consumers and distributors, and report the issue to the FDA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mauna-loa-macadamia-nut-company-llc-issues-product-recall-undeclared-almonds-mauna-loa-milk
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues a Product Recall on Undeclared Almonds in Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias (1oz) Pouches
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 15, 2025

FDA Publish  Date: February 15, 2025

Product Type: Food & Beverages

Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds

Company Name: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC

Brand Name: Mauna Loa

Product Description: Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias  

MN Bakery Recalls Mislabeled Muffins for Undeclared Walnuts

JE Bakery 2019, LLC, doing business as Broadway Bakery, Minneapolis MN is voluntarily recalling its Raisin Bran Muffin 6 count due to a labeling error. The affected product was mislabeled and instead contains Glorious Morning Muffins, which contains Walnuts, a known allergen not declared on the label.

Bamboo Shoots Recalled for Temperature Abuse, Botulism Potential?

AKT Trading Inc of Torrance, California is recalling 120 packages of Menma Ajitsuke Prepared Bamboo Shoot Product, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.  This issue was discovered on 1/14/2025 at the Tokyo Central Costa Mesa retail store where the product was found being sold under ambient (non-refrigerated) conditions. The missing "Keep Refrigerated" label likely contributed to this issue. The product was immediately removed from sale at this location. Consumers who have purchased the affected product with the specified expiration date are urged not to consume it. Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Technically, this vacuum packed product must have a secondary barrier (low Aw, low pH, etc) so that one would not need to rely on refrigeration because of issues where the product would be temperature abused. Otherwise, temperature control would be preventive control needed to be maintained throughout the supply chain, which is not likely for a retail product such as this.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/akt-trading-inc-recalls-seasoned-bamboo-shoots-because-possible-health-risk
AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Seasoned Bamboo Shoots Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  February 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Botulism
Company Name:  AKT Trading Inc.
Brand Name:  CHOSHIYA
Product Description:  Menma Ajitsuke Prepared Bamboo Shoot

Frozen Pasty Recalled for Undeclared Egg

The USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for frozen, fully cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry pasties, produced by the Pasty Oven, Florence, WI, due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The products were produced using an egg wash, which contains egg, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label.  FSIS discovered the problem during routine labeling review activities when it found that the egg ingredient was not listed on the final product label.



https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-ready-eat-meat-and-poultry-pasties-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Pasties Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
The Pasty Oven, Inc.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, fully cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry pasties due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The products were produced using an egg wash, which contains egg, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to eggs are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.

FDA Begins Email Communications Listing Weekly Recap of Recalls

We just received an email from FDA titled Weekly Recap of Recalls...for each of the weeks of this year starting January 12 to 18, 2025.  Those of you who are receiving recall information from FDA already probably received the series of emails as well.  Good idea.