Panera Bread is recalling cream cheese products from its bakery-cafes across the U.S. over fears of listeria contamination.
Representatives from the restaurant chain, which operates a location on Wausau’s west side, issued the voluntary recall of 2 oz. and 8 oz. cream cheese products after samples of one a cream cheese product produced in a single day showed a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
The products in the recall include both 2 oz. and 8 oz. cream cheese products that have an expiration date on or before March 2, 2018.
Listeria monocytogenes affects around 1,600 people each year and is particularly dangerous to pregnant women, their newborns, adults over the age of 65 and people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC. The bacteria can cause fever and diarrhea.
“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,” Blaine Hurst, Panera’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “Only one variety of 2-oz cream cheese from a single day yielded the positive result. Our intent is to go above and beyond for our guests. You should expect nothing less from Panera.”
Customers with these products should throw them away immediately, and contact Panera Bread by calling 1-855-6-PANERA or online:
Affected 2- and 8-ounce cream cheese products:
- Plain cream cheese
- Reduced fat cream cheese
- Reduced fat chive and onion cream cheese
- Reduced fat honey walnut cream cheese
- Reduced fat wild blueberry cream cheese
Customers can reach Panera Bread from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
