Listeria Alert: Check Your Fridge—Made Fresh Salads deli-style salads & cream cheese (Sept. 3–18, 2026 best-by dates)
If you have Made Fresh Salads Inc. ready-to-eat deli-style salads or cream cheese in your fridge, pause before you eat—the FDA has issued a recall because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
This is a straightforward “fridge check” situation. The key is the best-by/expiration date range the FDA identified: Sept. 3, 2026 through Sept. 18, 2026. If your container shows a date in that window, the safest step is to not eat it.
What’s being recalled (and why)
According to the FDA recall notice, Made Fresh Salads Inc. is recalling ready-to-eat deli-style salads and cream cheese due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Listeria is especially important for certain households because it can be more serious in pregnant people, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Even if you feel fine, the guidance is still to avoid the recalled items.
How to identify the affected products at home
Grab the container(s) and look for the best-by/expiration date. The FDA notice specifies affected products with dates in the range of Sept. 3–Sept. 18, 2026.
- If the date is in that range: don’t eat it.
- If the date is outside that range: the recall notice doesn’t identify it as affected (but you should still follow normal safe food handling).
Where it was distributed
The FDA notice describes distribution in parts of New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
What to do right now (simple steps)
- Find the products in your refrigerator (and check any spots where deli-style items get moved to “use soon”).
- Verify the date against the Sept. 3–Sept. 18, 2026 best-by/expiration window.
- Remove the item from your meal plan immediately—don’t taste it “just to check.”
- Follow the FDA/company instructions for what to do next, which generally means do not eat and either return it for a refund or discard it as directed in the recall notice.
Who should be extra careful
If anyone in your home is pregnant, 65+, or immunocompromised, treat these recalled items as a “do not serve” item, even if you already planned to share them. Remove them from the kitchen area promptly so they don’t accidentally end up on a plate.
Meal planning while you sort it out
While you confirm what you have, it helps to make a quick, low-stress alternative plan:
- Choose foods that are clearly not part of the recalled date range.
- If you’re unsure about the date or the product type, it’s safest to set it aside and confirm using the FDA notice details.
- Don’t try to “fix” ready-to-eat salads or cream cheese by freezing or reheating—follow the recall’s return/discard instructions.
Confirm details on the official FDA notice
Because recall instructions can be specific to the product identification and date range, please verify using the FDA recall notice for Made Fresh Salads Inc.. The FDA also provides a general guide on what to do with food recalls—checking labels and following the return/disposal steps.
Bottom line
Today’s task: check your fridge for Made Fresh Salads Inc. deli-style salads and cream cheese with best-by/expiration dates from Sept. 3–Sept. 18, 2026. If it matches, don’t eat it—return for a refund or discard as the FDA notice instructs.
Calm, quick action keeps your household fed safely.
