Panera's Southwest Corn Chowder Is Being Recalled. Here's Why
Panera is well-known for its homemade-tasting bread, fresh salads, flavorful sandwiches, and delicious soups. While most food and beverage offerings must still be ordered online or in the restaurant, Panera began to sell its soups in supermarkets and box stores a few years ago.
Its lineup of soups available in stores and online includes Autumn Squash Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Potato Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Lobster Bisque, New England Clam Chowder, Southwest Corn Chowder, and about a dozen others. It's the last one that is giving Panera some problems. On June 24, 2022, Panera parent company Blount Fine Foods issued a voluntary limited recall of Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder.
The soup is described by Panera as being a creamy potato and corn soup with roasted corn, poblano peppers, and black beans. It also has seasoning from garlic, cilantro, and chipotle, according to Panera.
Recall affects several states
The Federal Drug Administration posted that a limited amount of Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder in 16-ounce containers is being recalled due to an undeclared wheat allergen. In total, one lot, or 2,569 cases, is part of the recall, per the FDA. To identify if a container is part of the recall, the soup cups will have the lot number 042122-2K and a "use by" date of 6/30/22.
According to Blount Fine Foods, the containers of soup were only sold in refrigerated cases at select grocery stores and not in any Panera bakery cafes. There have been no reported complaints or illnesses related to the recall, but people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, according to the recall, are at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they should eat the Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder (via the FDA).
The soup is sold in the following states: California, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. People who purchased the recalled soup, can return it to the place of purchase or go to www.blountfinefoods.com/recall for product reimbursement.