Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Recalled Frozen Shakes: Legal Options For Victims

A Listeria outbreak that has spanned several years and multiple investigations has now been linked to recalled frozen supplemental nutrition shakes, resulting in 38 infections and 12 deaths across 21 states, including Florida. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have traced the outbreak to Prairie Farms Dairy, a manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This tragic outbreak underscores the serious risks posed by contaminated food products and raises important legal questions for victims and their families.

What Is Listeria and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as:

• Older adults
• Pregnant women and newborns
• People with weakened immune systems

Listeria infections can lead to serious complications, including:

• Severe food poisoning with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and vomiting
• Meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord)
• Septicemia (blood infections)
• Miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women

In this outbreak, many of the affected individuals were in long-term care facilities and nursing homes, where compromised immune systems make infections particularly deadly.

Timeline of the Listeria Outbreak Investigation

The CDC initially investigated this outbreak multiple times since 2018 but was unable to identify the specific contaminated product until February 2025. The timeline is as follows:

• 2018, 2021, and 2023: CDC investigates clusters of Listeria infections among patients in long-term care facilities but cannot identify the source.
• October 2024: The CDC reopens the investigation after six new illnesses are reported.
• February 2025: FDA traces the outbreak to Prairie Farms Dairy and finds the outbreak strain in environmental samples from the plant’s processing area.
• February 2025: Prairie Farms Dairy issues a recall for the contaminated frozen shakes.

States Affected by the Listeria Outbreak

Cases of Listeria infections linked to the recalled frozen shakes have been reported in the following 21 states:

Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.

The CDC and FDA warn consumers in these states to avoid consuming any recalled products and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of a Listeria infection.

Legal Rights of Victims and Families Affected by the Listeria Outbreak

For those who have fallen ill or lost a loved one due to contaminated food, there may be legal options to seek compensation. Under product liability laws, food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held liable for:

• Negligence: If the company failed to follow proper food safety regulations.
• Strict Liability: If a dangerous product is sold to consumers, even without proof of negligence.
• Wrongful Death: If a loved one has died due to foodborne illness caused by a contaminated product.

Given the history of contamination at Prairie Farms Dairy, this case may also raise concerns about corporate accountability and whether the company did enough to prevent the outbreak.

What Should Consumers Do Now?

If you or a loved one consumed a recalled frozen shake or have experienced Listeria symptoms, consider taking the following steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Listeria infections can be life-threatening. Get medical care as soon as possible.
2. Check the Recall List: Visit the FDA’s website or the CDC’s food safety alerts to see if you have purchased any of the affected products.
3. Do Not Consume or Discard Contaminated Products: If you have a recalled shake, do not consume it. Return it to the retailer for a refund or contact Prairie Farms Dairy for a replacement kit.
4. Preserve Evidence: If you or a loved one became ill, keep receipts, medical records, and any remaining product packaging to document your case.
5. Consult a Legal Professional: If you or a loved one suffered serious illness or wrongful death due to this outbreak, a personal injury attorney can help explore legal options for compensation.

Holding Food Manufacturers Accountable

This Listeria outbreak highlights the dangers of food contamination and the importance of corporate responsibility in the food industry. Companies that fail to maintain proper safety protocols put consumers at serious risk and must be held accountable for their negligence.

Consumers have a right to safe food and legal recourse when companies fail to protect public health. While federal agencies continue investigating this outbreak, victims and families affected by these contaminated shakes should know that they have options for seeking justice.

If you or a loved one has been affected by the recalled frozen shakes, contact our law firm for a free consultation. Our attorneys have experience handling product liability and wrongful death cases involving dangerous or contaminated food products.

Call (305) 638-4143 today to learn more about your rights. We proudly serve clients throughout Florida in foodborne illness cases.