New Outbreak Has People Asking: Listeria Survives Freezing?

A deadly Listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes has people wondering- can Listeria survive freezing temperatures?

The answer is yes.

Freezing stops the growth of Listeria, but it doesn’t kill the bacteria.

Over the last decade, four other multistate outbreaks have been linked to frozen foods. Ice cream caused three of them, frozen vegetables was the source of the other one.

Listeria Outbreaks Linked to Frozen Foods

Supplemental Shakes Listeria Outbreak 2018 -2025

The current 21-state outbreak includes 38 illnesses and 12 deaths, primarily among residents of long-term care facilities. The supplemental shakes were produced by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and sold under the brand names Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. Lyons Magnus was the distributor for both brands and has issued a recall.

2021- 2022 Big Olaf Ice Cream 

In 2023, a Big Olaf ice cream Listeria outbreak caused 28 illnesses, one death, and one miscarriage. Twenty-seven people were hospitalized.

2023 Soft Serve on the Go

A Listeria outbreak linked to Soft Serve on the Go ice cream ended October 26, 2023, after sickening two people both of whom were hospitalized. Kleins Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn distributed the ice cream and issued a recall for all Soft Serve on the Go products on August 9, when production and distribution of the product was halted.

2013-2016 CRF Frozen Foods

CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington, was the source of an outbreak that infected eight people. Two people in Washington and Maryland were hospitalized and died, although listeriosis is not believed to be the primary cause of death.

Blood sample tube positive with Listeria bacteria

2010- 2015 Ice Cream Blue Bell

A Blue Bell Listeria outbreak in 2015 caused 10 illnesses and three deaths. Blue Bell was ordered to pay $17.25 million in criminal penalties. It is the largest-ever criminal penalty following a conviction in a food safety case. In May 2020, Blue Bell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products.

Experienced Listeria and Wrongful Death Lawyers

The Pritzker Hageman Listeria lawyers have an unequaled track record. Our firm has represented clients in every major Listeria outbreak and has obtained numerous million and multi-million-dollar recoveries.

If you have been sickened or experienced the wrongful death of a loved one and would like a free consultation with our experienced team of Listeria lawyers, please contact us today by calling 888-377-8900 (toll-free), texting 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below.