Frederic Melton
Panera Bread is a popular restaurant chain that offers a variety of menu items, including sandwiches, salads, and soups. One of their signature ingredients is feta cheese, which is a popular addition to many of their dishes. In the past, there have been concerns about the safety of feta cheese due to the risk of Listeria contamination, which can be harmful to certain segments of the population, including pregnant women. Listeria is commonly found in soft cheeses made from raw milk, such as feta. However, it is important to note that pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria like Listeria, making the cheese safe for consumption. So, does Panera use pasteurized feta cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feta Cheese Pasteurized | Yes |
| Listeria Contamination | Yes, in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Panera's feta cheese is pasteurized
It is important to know whether the feta cheese used by restaurants is pasteurized, especially for those with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women, people with HIV, cancer patients, those with hepatic disease, diabetics, those with transplanted organs, or the elderly. This is because unpasteurized soft cheeses such as feta are at high risk of being contaminated by Listeria, a harmful bacteria.
In the United States, it is illegal to sell unpasteurized goods unless the sale occurs on the farm itself. For this reason, it is likely that Panera uses pasteurized feta cheese in its products. Indeed, some customers have specifically asked in-store, and been told that their feta cheese is pasteurized.
In 2018, Panera issued a recall for its cream cheese after samples showed signs of contamination with Listeria. However, this recall did not involve feta cheese, and the company took swift cautionary action to prioritize customer safety.
To be certain, customers can check the detailed ingredients of Panera's products on their website or contact their customer service.
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Listeria found in Panera's cream cheese
In 2018, Panera issued a recall of its cream cheese products in all US stores after samples revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a life-threatening bacterium. The bakery-café chain's president and chief executive officer, Blaine Hurst, stated that the safety of their guests and associates was their top priority, and thus, they were recalling all unexpired cream cheese products with an expiration date on or before April 2, 2018. The recall included all varieties of two-ounce and eight-ounce cream cheese containers.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes an infection called listeriosis, which is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States. Around 1,600 people in the US are infected with the bacteria each year, and approximately 260 people die from the infection. The bacteria are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever and diarrhea, and if the infection spreads beyond the gut, people may experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Following the discovery of Listeria in their cream cheese products, Panera took swift action to protect its customers. In addition to the product recall, the company ceased all manufacturing in the associated cream cheese facility to ensure that the issue was contained and prevented from affecting other products. This proactive approach by Panera demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its customers and employees.
It is important to note that there were no reported illnesses from consuming the contaminated cream cheese products. The recall was a precautionary measure taken by Panera to mitigate any potential health risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people reduce the risk of illness from Listeria by maintaining proper food storage and handling practices. These include keeping food refrigerated at the correct temperature, between 0 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, consuming ready-to-eat foods by the 'use-by' date, and maintaining a clean refrigerator.
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Pregnant women at risk from unpasteurized cheese
It is unclear whether Panera uses pasteurized feta cheese. However, some online sources indicate that the feta cheese at Panera is pasteurized.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid unpasteurized cheese because of the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can be more severe during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Immune system changes in pregnant women put them, their unborn children, and newborns at increased risk of foodborne illnesses.
Unpasteurized cheese may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Listeria, which can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. In fact, pregnant people make up about one out of every six people who develop listeriosis. Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria, making pasteurized cheeses safer for consumption during pregnancy.
To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses during pregnancy, pregnant women should avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses often advertised as "fresh," such as some feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican queso fresco. Instead, opting for hard cheeses such as Cheddar or Swiss is recommended. Additionally, pregnant women should pay close attention to labels and choose soft cheeses labeled as "pasteurized," especially if they are individually packaged rather than cut at a deli counter from a larger piece.
It's important to note that most cheeses found on shelves in the United States are safe to consume during pregnancy, and many favorite cheeses can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet. However, it is always advisable for pregnant women to follow specific guidelines provided by their doctors regarding food choices to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
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Pasteurized feta is safe for pregnant women
It is widely understood that soft, unpasteurized cheeses like feta can contain Listeria, a harmful type of bacteria that can cause listeriosis. This infection can be very dangerous for unborn babies, potentially leading to miscarriage, premature birth, or severe illness or death of the newborn. As a result, pregnant women are advised to avoid feta cheese unless it is made from pasteurized milk.
The pasteurization process kills any harmful bacteria, making the cheese safe for consumption by pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that pregnant women should only consider eating feta cheese if they know it has been made from pasteurized milk, clearly labelled as such.
Panera Bread, a popular restaurant chain, uses pasteurized feta cheese in its dishes. This information has been confirmed by the restaurant staff and is also mentioned in the detailed ingredients list on their website. This is in line with the general practice of most restaurants in the US, which use pasteurized cheeses.
Therefore, it is safe for pregnant women to consume feta cheese from Panera Bread. However, it is always advisable for pregnant women to exercise caution and consult official health guidelines or their healthcare providers for specific dietary recommendations during pregnancy.
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Panera's feta cheese ingredients
Feta cheese is a soft cheese that can carry Listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious health issues, especially for those with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women. In 2018, Panera issued a recall for its cream cheese after samples showed signs of Listeria contamination.
According to online sources, Panera uses pasteurized feta cheese in its products. One source mentions that they specifically inquired about this at a Panera location and were informed that their feta cheese is, indeed, pasteurized. Another source mentions that, in the United States, it is illegal to sell unpasteurized goods unless the sale occurs on the farm itself. This would further suggest that Panera uses pasteurized feta cheese.
The ingredients of Panera's feta cheese are listed as follows: Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, and Microbial Enzymes.
While the sources indicate that Panera's feta cheese is pasteurized, it is always advisable to check the detailed ingredients and confirm with the restaurant or the company directly, especially if you have specific dietary requirements or health concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the feta cheese used by Panera Bread is pasteurized. In 2018, the company recalled its cream cheese due to the presence of Listeria, but no issues have been reported with their feta cheese.
Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria in food products, such as Listeria, which can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.
You can contact Panera Bread's customer service or check the detailed ingredients list on their website to confirm that their feta cheese is made with pasteurized milk.
