A cream cheese recall has been upgraded to the Food and Drug Administration’s highest alert after Listeria monocytogenes was identified on production equipment, officials and the manufacturer have said. The move classifies the action as Class I, meaning there is a reasonable probability the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Cream Cheese Recall Upgraded to Class I
The recall, first issued February 20, was elevated with the agency’s most serious classification after testing found contamination on a part of the mixer used to make the product. Fourteen flavors packaged in five-pound tubs from Made Fresh Salads are affected, including Whipped Cream Cheese and Vegetable Cream Cheese. The recall extension covers products with expiration dates through February 27.
Contamination Found in Mixer; Distribution Focused in New York City
Made Fresh Salads said it halted use of the contaminated mixer once the concern was identified. The company is based on Long Island, and the affected cream cheese tubs were delivered to retail stores and distributors in New York City. At the time of the company’s announcement, no illnesses related to the recall had been reported.
Health Risks, Consumer Guidance and Company Response
Made Fresh Salads warned that healthy people who contract Listeria may experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, while acknowledging the bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal outcomes for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women infected with Listeria monocytogenes are at risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Consumers who purchased the recalled product are being urged to return the tubs for a full refund. The company has stopped using the implicated mixer as part of its response to the contamination findings. It remains unclear whether additional products or production lots will be affected as the situation develops.
The cream cheese recall and its upgrade to a Class I alert mark the most urgent level of regulatory concern. Public health officials typically monitor such incidents closely for any linked illnesses; at present, no related cases have been reported.
