Panera Bread Says U.S. Food Menu, Home Products Portfolio Now 100% Clean

(RTTNews) - Panera Bread (PNRA) announced Friday that its entire U.S. food menu and portfolio of Panera at Home products are now 100% clean. The company noted that they are free from all artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, and colors from artificial sources as defined by the company's No No List, inclusive of 96 separate ingredients and additive classes.

Panera said it is the first national restaurant company to make such a comprehensive commitment and, more importantly, to meet it.

In order to achieve its clean food milestone, Panera said it reviewed more than 450 ingredients, delving several levels into the supply chain to ensure the removal of all artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners and colors from artificial sources.

The company also reformulated 122 ingredients, resulting in changes to the majority of Panera's bakery-cafe recipes.

The company has partnered with more than 300 food vendors on the clean food journey.

Ron Shaich, Panera Bread, founder and CEO, said, "Offering a clean menu free from all artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners and colors from artificial sources is one way we can help our guests feel confident about the food they eat at Panera."

Tom Neltner, Chemical Policy Director, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), said, "EDF congratulates Panera's leadership, and hopes to work with more brands to ensure that food and chemical policies prioritize health and the environment for our children and future generations. Panera's leadership shows that consumer health can be a priority in the corporate bottom line."