Panera Bread is preemptively recalling all 2 ounce and 8 ounce cream cheese products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products were sold nationally in its U.S. bakery-cafes. Samples of one variety of 2 ounce cream cheese package from a single production date have tested positive for the pathogenic bacteria. So the company is recalling cream cheese manufactured before and after the production run in question, even though all of those samples have been negative.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the issue. The company is recalling all varieties out of an abundance of caution. There is zero tolerance for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in ready-to-eat products in the United States.
The recalled Panera products in the 2 ounce size include: Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced- Fat Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Chive & Onion Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, and Reduced-Fat Wild Blueberry Cream Cheese. The recalled Panera products in the 8 ounce size include: Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced- Fat Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Chive & Onion Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, and Reduced-Fat Wild Blueberry Cream Cheese.
If you purchased those products, do not eat them. Discard them in a secure garbage receptacle in a sealed or otherwise double bagged package, or take them back to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you stored these products in the refrigerator in your home, clean out that appliance with a solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach to one gallon of warm water. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow at refrigerator temps, and freezing doesn’t kill it. Wash your hands well with soap and water after cleaning and after handling the cream cheese.
If you ate any of these products, watch yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women may suffer miscarriages and stillbirth if they contract this infection. If you do feel sick, see your doctor.
