GREEN BAY, WI (March 28, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a voluntary recall issued by Schreiber Foods, Inc. of Green Bay, Wisconsin, covering 144 cases of Einstein Bros Bagels branded Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread due to undeclared almonds. According to the FDA, the product was distributed through Einstein Bros. Bagel locations in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The agency confirmed that people with an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds face the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
Schreiber Foods recall: Quick summary
Schreiber Foods, Inc. announced a voluntary recall on March 27, 2026, after discovering that a single lot of Einstein Bros Bagels Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread had been shipped in mismatched packaging. The lid correctly identifies the contents as Honey Almond, but the plastic cup itself is labeled as Plain cream cheese, which contains no almonds. This packaging staging error meant consumers reading only the cup label would have had no indication that the product contained almonds, a tree nut and one of the FDA’s nine major food allergens. The issue was identified internally, has since been corrected, and was confirmed to be limited to this single lot. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Official Recall Details
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Date recall was issued: March 27, 2026 (FDA publish date: March 28, 2026)
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Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Company name: Schreiber Foods, Inc.
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Brand name: Einstein Bros Bagels
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Product name: Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread (Honey Almond Double Whipped Shmear)
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Type of issue: Undeclared tree nuts (almonds)
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Product details: 6 oz plastic cup, Honey Almond lid with Plain cup label, Lot code: Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO (printed on the bottom of the cup)
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Distribution area: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming (via Einstein Bros Bagel locations)
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What consumers should do: Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
What happened?
The FDA said Schreiber Foods, Inc. initiated the voluntary recall on March 27, 2026, after a shipment of Einstein Bros Bagels Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread was discovered to have a mismatch between the lid and the cup packaging. The FDA published the public alert the following day, March 28, 2026.
According to the recall notice, the product’s lid correctly identifies it as Honey Almond, but the plastic cup itself carries a Plain cream cheese label — a labeling discrepancy that originated from a packaging staging error at the Schreiber Foods facility. A consumer relying solely on the cup label would have had no way of knowing that the product inside contained almonds, a major tree nut allergen.
In its recall notice, Schreiber Foods stated:
“Subsequent investigation indicates there was a limited packaging staging issue that was corrected, and review confirmed the issue was contained to this product only.”
The company identified the problem internally and moved quickly to initiate the recall and notify regulators. The affected lot — carrying a Best If Used By date of Jul 21, 2026 LO — was distributed exclusively to Einstein Bros Bagel store locations in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming, covering 144 cases in total.
The FDA confirmed that no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | Lot code | Issue | Affected states |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Einstein Bros Bagels | Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread | 6 oz plastic cup | Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO | Undeclared almonds (mismatched lid and cup label) | CO, UT, NM, WY |
What caused the issue?
The recall stems from a packaging staging error, not a formulation or ingredient sourcing problem. The product itself — Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread — does contain almonds, as expected. The issue is that a batch of the almond containing cream cheese was placed into cups that were labeled for Plain cream cheese. The lid correctly identified the Honey Almond variety, but consumers who looked at the cup body and ingredient panel would have seen labeling indicating a plain, almond free product.
Under federal food labeling law, tree nuts — including almonds — are classified as one of the nine major food allergens that must be clearly declared on product packaging. When a consumer with an almond or tree nut allergy purchases what the cup label says is plain cream cheese, they have no reason to suspect it contains almonds. The mismatched packaging eliminated the very safeguard that allergen labeling is designed to provide.
According to the FDA notice, Schreiber Foods identified the issue through internal review, corrected the packaging staging process, and confirmed the problem was contained to this single lot. The limited distribution scope — 144 cases across four states through Einstein Bros locations only — means the recall is narrow in geography, but the allergen risk for any affected consumer is not.
Almond allergies, classified under tree nut allergies, can cause reactions ranging from mild symptoms such as hives, itching, and stomach cramps to severe anaphylaxis. For individuals with known tree nut allergies, even small amounts of almond protein can trigger a serious response. The FDA confirmed that no illnesses have been reported to date.
Questions you might have
- What product is being recalled and how do I identify it? The recalled product is Einstein Bros Bagels Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread, sold in a 6 oz plastic cup. The key identifier is the lot code printed on the bottom of the cup: Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO. The cup itself carries a Plain cream cheese label, while the lid reads Honey Almond — this mismatch is the defining characteristic of the affected product.
- What caused the mismatch between the lid and the cup? Schreiber Foods identified the cause as a packaging staging error at its facility. The Honey Almond cream cheese was placed into cups that had been labeled as Plain. The company says the issue was corrected and confirmed to be isolated to this single lot.
- Where was this product sold? The recalled product was distributed exclusively through Einstein Bros Bagel store locations in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming. It was not sold through grocery retailers or other channels. If you purchased an Einstein Bros branded cream cheese spread at an Einstein Bros location in one of those four states, check the lot code on the bottom of the cup.
- What should I do if I have the recalled product? Do not consume it, particularly if you have a known allergy or sensitivity to almonds or tree nuts. Return the product to the Einstein Bros location where you purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact the company through the Einstein Bros website at www.einsteinbros.com/contact/.
- What are the symptoms of an almond or tree nut allergic reaction? Symptoms can include hives, skin itching or redness, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, runny nose, watery eyes, stomach cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea. In severe cases, exposure can cause anaphylaxis — a rapid, full body allergic response that can include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and respiratory failure. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment with epinephrine. If you experience these symptoms after consuming the product, call 911 immediately.
- Were any illnesses or allergic reactions reported? No. As of the recall announcement date of March 27, 2026, Schreiber Foods and the FDA confirmed that no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.
- Is this a voluntary recall or was it ordered by the FDA? This is a voluntary recall initiated by Schreiber Foods, Inc. The company identified the packaging staging error internally and initiated the recall on its own. The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- How many cases are involved and how widespread is the recall? A total of 144 cases are included in the recall. Distribution was limited to Einstein Bros Bagel store locations in four states: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The company confirmed the issue was isolated to this single lot and has been corrected.
- Can I still purchase other Einstein Bros cream cheese products? The recall is specific to the single lot of Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread identified by the lot code Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO, distributed to four states. Other Einstein Bros cream cheese products and lot codes are not mentioned in this recall notice and are not covered by this alert.
- Who can I contact for more information? Consumers with questions may contact Einstein Bros through the company’s website at www.einsteinbros.com/contact/. Press inquiries can be directed to Andrew Tobisch at [email protected] or (920) 455-6484.
Here’s what you should do
- What to do with the product: Do not consume it. Return it to the Einstein Bros location where you purchased it for a full refund.
- Where to look on the label: Check the lot code printed on the bottom of the cup. The affected code reads: Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO. Also note whether the lid says Honey Almond while the cup says Plain — this mismatch confirms the affected product.
- How to identify the affected product: 6 oz plastic cup, Einstein Bros Bagels brand, Honey Almond lid paired with a Plain cup label, lot code Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO on the bottom.
- Brand contact details: Consumers may contact Einstein Bros at www.einsteinbros.com/contact/. Press inquiries: Andrew Tobisch at (920) 455-6484 or [email protected].
Behind the brand
Schreiber Foods, Inc. is an employee-owned dairy company founded in 1945 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, by L.D. Schreiber, Merlin G. Bush, and Daniel David Nusbaum. Starting as a small processed cheese operation in a converted brewery building, the company has grown into one of the largest dairy manufacturers in the United States, with more than 7,000 employees and over $5 billion in annual sales. Schreiber is the second largest producer of cream cheese in the country and supplies processed cheese to 17 of the top 20 hamburger chains nationwide. The company became fully employee owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1999 and is led by President and CEO Ron Dunford.
Schreiber Foods produces cream cheese, natural cheese, processed cheese, and yogurt under customer brand names for grocery retailers, foodservice companies, and restaurant chains. Einstein Bros Bagels is one of several foodservice brands for which Schreiber manufactures branded cream cheese products.
Source86 reached out to Schreiber Foods for additional comment on the packaging staging error and how it was identified, but has not yet received a response beyond the company’s published recall notice.
Other relevant recalls
Packaging and labeling errors involving undeclared allergens are a consistent driver of food recalls across the industry. In March 2026, Blueroot Health recalled two lots of its Vital Nutrients Aller-C dietary supplement after routine internal testing found undeclared egg, hazelnut, and soy — allergens absent from the product’s label. That same month, the Mama Grande Tortilla Factory recalled its Gorditas de Azucar and Doraditas de Azucar after an FDA inspection found undeclared wheat and soy on product labels. The Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs recall at Lidl US stores, also in March 2026, involved undeclared hazelnuts — another tree nut allergen — affecting products distributed across ten East Coast states. In December 2025, White Castle Frozen Food Division recalled its Original Sliders due to undeclared milk and soy. And in November 2025, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream recalled its Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars over undeclared wheat and soy. Each of these cases, including the Schreiber Foods recall, points to the same underlying challenge: even a single lapse in packaging verification can put allergic consumers at serious risk.
A food packaging specialist noted the specific hazard that mismatched components create:
“When the lid and the cup carry different product identities, you’ve essentially created a product that is invisible to any consumer reading the cup panel. For someone with a tree nut allergy, that cup label is their only line of defense at the point of consumption.”
A food safety attorney added:
“Packaging staging errors are preventable with proper verification checkpoints on the line. A quick visual check before cases are sealed would catch this kind of mismatch every time.”
Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the recall reinforces the importance of redundant verification at every stage of production:
“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability — and that extends all the way to the packaging line.”
Ensuring safe eats
The Schreiber Foods recall is a clear example of how a packaging error, rather than a formulation or ingredient problem, can put consumers with food allergies at serious risk. When a product containing almonds reaches store shelves in a cup labeled as plain, anyone with a tree nut allergy is left without the information they need to make a safe choice. The fact that Schreiber Foods identified and corrected the issue internally is noteworthy — but the incident is a reminder of why packaging verification protocols matter at every step of the production process.
If you purchased Einstein Bros Bagels Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread at an Einstein Bros location in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, or Wyoming, check the lot code on the bottom of the cup. If it reads Best If Used By Jul 21, 2026 LO, return it to the store for a full refund and do not consume it if you have a tree nut allergy.
At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision — ensuring that when recalls happen, supply chains are prepared to respond quickly. Our team works directly with manufacturers to implement the quality controls and packaging verification protocols that prevent incidents like this from reaching consumers in the first place. Reach out to learn how Source86 can support your brand’s food safety program.
