Home / Health / Cream Cheese Recall Reaches Highest Alert Level
Cream Cheese Recall Reaches Highest Alert Level
17 Mar
Summary
- Cream cheese recall upgraded to Class I, posing serious health risks.
- Listeria contamination traced to equipment used in manufacturing.
- No illnesses reported yet, but vulnerable groups are at risk.
Health officials have issued a critical Class I recall for specific cream cheese products from Made Fresh Salads Inc., citing potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This highest alert level signifies a serious risk of adverse health consequences. The recall, initially announced on February 20, 2026, was upgraded on March 11, 2026, following routine testing that linked the contamination to manufacturing equipment. The affected items are 5-pound white plastic tubs with a Made Fresh Salads label, sold in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and other parts of New York City, with expiration dates through February 27, 2026.
The issue was traced to a positive test for listeria on a part of the mixer used in product manufacturing. Made Fresh Salads Inc. has since stopped using and removed the contaminated equipment. Although no illnesses have been reported, Listeria infections can cause severe symptoms like fever, headache, stomach ache, and diarrhea, posing a significant threat to children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Consumers possessing the recalled cream cheese should return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.
