Jan. 29 (UPI) — Panera Bread announced on Monday it was conducting a voluntary recall of all its 2 oz. and 8 oz. cream cheese products sold in its U.S. cafes.
The chain said in a statement it initiated the recall after samples of cream cheese from a single production day showed signs of Listeria monocytogenes.
Panera said it would recall all varieties the cream cheese products with an expiration date on or before April 2, 2018, including its 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 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,” Panera CEO Blaine Hurst said.
“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.”
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, those with weakened immune systems, and could cause stillbirth or miscarriages in pregnant women.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
