Panera Bread recalls cream cheese
Panera Bread is recalling all 2-ounce and 8-ounce cream cheese products sold in its bakeries.
While there have been no reported illnesses, the St. Louis-based company said there is concern that Listeria monocytogenes might be in some of the products.
According to the FDA, Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy people might suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
"Out of an abundance of caution, Panera Bread is conducting a nationwide pre-emptive, voluntary recall," a company statement said.
This recall was initiated after samples of one variety of 2-ounce cream cheese from a single production day showed a positive result for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Tests on cream cheese samples manufactured both before and after the production run in question have all come back negative.
Despite the finding in only one day of production, Panera Bread is issuing a voluntary recall of all varieties. The products included in the recall are all varieties of unexpired 2-ounce and 8-ounce cream cheese products with an expiration date on or before April 2, 2018.
"The safety of our guests and associates is paramount, therefore we are recalling all cream cheese products sold in the U.S. with an active shelf life. We have likewise ceased all manufacturing in the associated cream cheese facility," said Panera's President and CEO Blaine Hurst.
All flavors are part of the recall including, plain, reduced-fat plain, reduced-fat chive & onion, reduced-fat honey walnut and reduced-fat wild blueberry.