Nationwide Recall: Over 1 Million Bags of Shredded Cheese Pulled From Shelves Due to Metal Contamination
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A massive recall affecting over 1 million bags of shredded cheese has been issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), impacting major retailers like Walmart, Publix, and Aldi. The recall, initiated on December 1, stems from the potential presence of metal fragments in the products, manufactured by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co.
The FDA has classified this as a “class II” recall, indicating that while consumption of the contaminated cheese could lead to temporary, medically reversible health issues, the risk of serious injury is considered remote. The recall encompasses a wide range of shredded cheese products distributed across 31 states and Puerto Rico.
Scope of the Recall
The largest portion of the recall involves approximately 236,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese, with each case containing between four and 12 individual bags. However, the recall extends to several other varieties, including:
- 15,490 cases of Italian-style shredded cheese blend
- 4,298 cases of pizza-style shredded cheese blend
- 4,131 cases of mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese blend
- 1,900 cases of Happy Farms by Aldi Italian Style shredded cheese blend
- 1,850 cases of Target’s Good & Gather mozzarella & parmesan shredded cheese blend
- 117 cases of Food Club finely shredded pizza-style four-cheese blend
Consumers should check the sell-by dates on their shredded cheese, as the recall covers products with dates ranging from January to late March 2026.
Affected States and Brands
The recalled cheese was sold in the following states and territory: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as Puerto Rico.
A comprehensive list of recalled brands and their specific UPC codes has been released by the FDA. Some of the brands included in the recall are:
- Always Save
- Borden
- Brookshire’s
- Cache Valley Creamery
- Chestnut Hill
- Coburn Farms
- Econo
- Food Club
- Food Lion
- Gold Rush Creamery
- Good & Gather (Target’s store brand)
- Great Lakes Cheese
- Great Value (Walmart’s private label)
- Happy Farms by Aldi
- H-E-B
- Hill Country Fare
- Know & Love
- Laura Lynn
- Lucerne Dairy Farms
- Nu Farm
- Publix
- Schnuck’s
- Simply Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Stater Bros. Markets
- Sunnyside Farms
Consumers who have purchased any of these products with sell-by dates within the specified range are urged to discard them immediately. “The FDA is working closely with Great Lakes Cheese Co. to ensure that all affected products are removed from the market,” stated a senior official.
What to Do If You’ve Purchased Recalled Cheese
The FDA advises consumers who have purchased recalled products not to consume them. Instead, they should be discarded. While the risk of serious injury is low, the presence of metal fragments poses a potential health hazard. Consumers with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Great Lakes Cheese Co. directly for further information. This widespread recall underscores the importance of rigorous quality control measures in food production and distribution to protect public health.
