The Kane County Health Department advised last week that Panera Bread is recalling all 2-ounce and 8-ounce cream cheese products sold in its U.S. bakery-cafes because they may have the possibility of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no reported illnesses, however Panera Bread is conducting a nationwide preemptive, voluntary recall 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 of the 2-ounce and 8-ounce cream cheese. 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. This recall only affects cream cheese sold in Panera Bread United States bakery cafes.

According to the FDA, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Affected 2-ounce Cream Cheese Varieties: Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced- Fat Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Chive & Onion Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Wild Blueberry Cream Cheese.

Affected 8-ounce Cream Cheese Varieties: Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Plain Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Chive & Onion Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, Reduced-Fat Wild Blueberry Cream Cheese.

Consumers in possession of these products should discard them immediately and contact Panera Bread Customer Service at 1-855-6-PANERA from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday or visit Panera.custhelp.com for a full refund. For any other questions, please visit www.panerabread.com/recall.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department