Recall of Shredded Cheeses Sold at Walmart and Target. View List of Affected Items.

Over one million packages of shredded cheese sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Aldi have been recalled due to potential metal contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall was initiated on October 3 by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co., which warned that metal fragments might be present in the affected products, posing a risk of injury if ingested. On December 1, the FDA upgraded the recall to a "Class 1" status, indicating that consuming the products could lead to temporary or reversible health issues.

The recalled cheeses come in various blends and are sold under numerous brand names, including store brands such as Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Sprouts, and Happy Farms. The products were distributed across 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. It is not yet confirmed whether any injuries have resulted from the contaminated cheese.

Types of Recalled Cheese

The affected products include low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, Italian-style blends, pizza-style blends, and mozzarella-provolone blends. They are packaged in individual plastic bags and vary in weight from 8 ounces to 5 pounds. Some notable brands and product lines include:

• Always Save Shredded, 5 lb.
• Borden Shredded, 8 oz.
• Brookshire's Finely Shredded, 8 oz. & Thick Cut, 8 oz.
• Cache Valley Creamery Shredded, 8 oz.
• Happy Farms by Aldi Shredded, 16 oz. and 32 oz.
• Good & Gather Fine Cut, 8 oz.
• Great Lakes Cheese Shredded, 5 lb.
• Great Value Finely Shredded, 8 oz.
• Laura Lynn Finely Shredded, 8 oz. & Thick Cut, 8 oz.
• Sprouts Farmers Market Finely Shredded, 8 oz. & 32 oz. value pack

Other recalled blends include Italian-style shredded cheese (mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, romano, fontina, and asiago), pizza-style blends (mozzarella and cheddar), and mozzarella-provolone or mozzarella-parmesan mixes. Each product is individually packaged and labeled with unique UPC codes.

FDA Guidance for Consumers

The FDA advises customers who purchased any of the recalled cheese products to return them to the store for a full refund or to safely dispose of them. Consumers should not give the recalled items to others, including food banks or pets.

The recall underscores ongoing concerns about contamination risks in ready-to-eat foods, highlighting the importance of careful handling and monitoring of products that can harbor harmful materials.

FDA's Cheese Recall: Key Considerations and Consumer Safety

The recall of over one million packages of shredded cheese from major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Aldi is a clear reminder of the risks associated with contaminated food products. While the recall was initiated due to potential metal contamination, it highlights a broader issue of food safety in the supply chain. The risk of injury from ingesting metal fragments, though not yet linked to reported injuries, is significant enough to warrant the FDA's "Class 1" status upgrade on December 1.

Great Lakes Cheese Co.'s decision to recall products distributed across 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico is a necessary step to protect consumers, but it also raises questions about the oversight mechanisms in place for food safety. Consumers who have purchased the affected products must act swiftly: return the products for a full refund or dispose of them safely. The FDA's guidance to avoid distributing recalled items to others or feeding them to pets is crucial in preventing further risk.

This recall impacts several popular brands, from Good & Gather to Great Value, underscoring the wide reach of the problem. As the food industry continues to face these types of contamination challenges, it’s clear that vigilance, transparency, and swift corrective actions are paramount in maintaining consumer trust and safety.

Sources:

• Shredded cheeses sold at Walmart, Target recalled. See affected items.