nationwide Cheese Recall: Over One Million Bags Pulled Due to Metal Contamination
A massive recall affecting over one million bags of shredded cheese has been issued across 31 states and Puerto Rico, according to a recent update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall, initiated by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co. on October 3rd, stems from the potential presence of metal fragments within the cheese, posing a potential injury risk to consumers.
The FDA reclassified the recall to a “Class II” on December 1st, indicating that while consumption of the contaminated cheese may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” the risk is not considered instantly life-threatening. despite the classification, the breadth of the recall – encompassing numerous brands and retailers including Walmart, Target, and Aldi – underscores the seriousness of the situation.
What Products Are Affected?
The recalled products include a wide variety of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese, as well as Italian-style and pizza-style blends, packaged in plastic bags under dozens of brand names. These include popular store brands such as Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Sprouts, and Happy Farms. A comprehensive list of affected products, including specific UPC codes and package sizes, is available [here](insert link to FDA recall page if available).
The sheer number of SKUs involved makes it crucial for consumers to carefully check their refrigerators and freezers. 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, and many others.
Geographic Distribution and Recall Status
The affected cheese was distributed across a important portion of the United States, including 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.
Great Lakes Cheese Co. has stated that all recalled products have been removed from store shelves and replaced with new inventory. “Further, the products currently on retail shelves are safe to consume and not associated with the October recall,” the company said in a statement released on December 3rd. However, the FDA’s enforcement report still marks the recall as ongoing, a discrepancy the company attributes to a lag in updating the report, stating their records indicate complete removal of the affected products.
What Should Consumers Do?
Consumers who have purchased any of the identified cheese products from October are urged to discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. While the company asserts that current stock is safe
Why: Great Lakes Cheese co. initiated a recall of over one million bags of shredded cheese due to the potential presence of metal fragments, posing a risk of injury to consumers.
Who: The recall affects consumers in 31 states and Puerto Rico who purchased shredded cheese products manufactured by Great Lakes Cheese Co. under various brand names, including store brands like Good & gather and Great Value.
What: The recall includes low-moisture part-skim mozzarella
