25 Cream Cheese Varieties and 43 Ready-to-Eat Salads Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

Consumers in parts of New York are being urged to check their refrigerators and freezers after a major food recall involving cream cheese and ready-to-eat deli salads.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Made Fresh Salads Inc., a Bay Shore, New York, company, has recalled 25 varieties of cream cheese and 43 pre-packaged salad products because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products were sold under the Made Fresh and Northside labels and were distributed directly to retail stores and distributors in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and New York City.

According to the FDA, the products were distributed in a variety of packaging formats, including 30-pound and 5-pound white plastic tubs and half-size aluminum pans. Some products may also have been repackaged by individual retail stores, which means consumers may encounter different packaging and coding depending on where the food was purchased.

Why Were the Products Recalled?

The recall follows environmental sampling conducted by both the FDA and the company. Testing found that some areas of the Made Fresh facility tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can contaminate food and potentially cause serious illness.

Company management said the recall was initiated after the environmental sampling raised concerns about possible contamination.

The products involved include ready-to-eat deli-style salads and cream cheese products. Because these foods generally do not require additional cooking before consumption, contamination can pose a particular concern if harmful bacteria are present.

The FDA advisory states that expiration dates printed on the lower-left portion of the labels range from September 3 through September 18.

Consumers who purchased products covered by the recall should check their labels carefully and avoid eating them until they have confirmed that the products are not part of the recall.

Which Cream Cheese Products Are Included?

The recall covers 25 varieties of cream cheese and related products. Among the flavors identified in the FDA information are:

• Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese
• Blueberry Cream Cheese
• Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese
• Jalapeno Cream Cheese
• Jalapeno Cheddar Cream Cheese
• Lox Cream Cheese
• Bacon Scallion Cream Cheese
• Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese
• Strawberry Cream Cheese
• Olive Pimento Cream Cheese
• Scallion Cream Cheese
• Vegetable Cream Cheese
• Walnut Cream Cheese
• Walnut Raisin Cream Cheese
• Whipped Cream Cheese
• Tofu Spread

The FDA and company also identified numerous ready-to-eat salad products as part of the recall.

Because some of the products may have been repackaged at retail locations, consumers should not rely solely on the appearance of the packaging when determining whether a product is affected.

The company warned that retail packaging and product coding can vary depending on the location where the food was purchased.

No Illnesses Reported So Far

As of the recall announcement, no illnesses associated with the recalled products had been reported.

However, the absence of reported illnesses does not mean that consumers should ignore the recall. Foodborne illnesses can affect people differently, and some individuals may experience relatively mild symptoms while others can develop serious complications.

The FDA is urging consumers who purchased the affected Made Fresh Salads products to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers should not taste a product to determine whether it is safe. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may look, smell, and taste normal.

What Is Listeriosis?

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can cause an infection known as listeriosis.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, people who consume contaminated food may develop symptoms including fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. In otherwise healthy people, symptoms may be relatively mild and can sometimes resolve without medical treatment.

However, listeriosis can be much more serious for certain groups, including pregnant people, older adults, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Pregnant people are particularly advised to take Listeria warnings seriously because an infection can cause serious complications during pregnancy, even when the mother does not experience severe symptoms herself.

Anyone who believes they may have consumed a recalled product and subsequently develops concerning symptoms should consider contacting a healthcare professional.

This Is Not the Company's First Listeria-Related Recall

Made Fresh Salads has previously faced a similar recall involving cream cheese products.

An FDA notice published on February 20 reported the withdrawal of 13 cream cheese flavors and one tofu spread after routine company sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes contamination involving part of a mixer used during production.

At that time, the company said it had stopped production using the affected mixer and removed the equipment from service.

The latest recall follows another round of environmental sampling at the facility, raising renewed concerns about potential contamination.

What Should Consumers Do Now?

Anyone who lives in or around the affected distribution areas and purchased Made Fresh or Northside cream cheese or ready-to-eat salads should check the products before consuming them.

If a product matches the recall information, the safest course is to avoid eating it and return it to the retailer for a refund, as recommended by the FDA.

Consumers should also take care when handling potentially contaminated food. After disposing of or returning a recalled product, washing hands and cleaning surfaces that may have come into contact with the food can help reduce the risk of spreading bacteria.

If the recalled food was used in a prepared dish, consumers should consider whether other foods or utensils may have come into contact with it.

The Bottom Line

The Made Fresh Salads recall highlights why consumers should pay attention to food safety alerts, particularly when ready-to-eat products are involved.

The FDA says 25 cream cheese varieties and 43 pre-packaged salads were recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected Made Fresh and Northside products were distributed in parts of New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

No illnesses had been reported at the time of the FDA announcement. Nevertheless, consumers who purchased potentially affected products are advised not to eat them and should return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Because some products may have been repackaged by retailers, consumers should carefully review recall information rather than relying only on the original manufacturer's packaging.

For the latest product details, affected products, and official instructions, consumers should consult the FDA's recall notice and any updates issued by the agency.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Made Fresh Salads Inc. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Deli-Style Salads and Cream Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk.”

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not medical or food-safety advice. Recall information can change as government agencies and manufacturers issue updates. Consumers should rely on the latest information from the FDA, the manufacturer, retailers, and qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about recalled food or possible exposure to Listeria monocytogenes.