Over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese from retailers like Walmart and Target are being recalled due to concerns of potential metal flakes in the product.
This recall is initiated by Great Lakes Cheese Co., located in Hiram, Ohio, which stated that it affects multiple brands available widely.
The recall started on October 3 and was prompted by the discovery of possible metal debris in raw materials from the supplier, leading to what regulators refer to as a downstream recall across several product lines.
The FDA has categorized this action since December 1, and the recall is ongoing. The affected cheese products, including mozzarella and various Italian blends, have been distributed across 31 states and Puerto Rico.
Brands involved in this recall include Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Great Value, Happy Farms, Food Club, Econo, Gold Rush Creamery, Freedom’s Choice, and Good & Gather.
These products have sell-by dates ranging from January to March 2026, varying by brand and specific product types.
Great Lakes Cheese has informed distributors about the situation but has not publicly announced it, according to FDA records.
The FDA has identified seven categories in the recall, covering over 263,000 cases of shredded cheese, each containing several bags.
A significant portion of the recall accounts for over 235,000 bags of shredded mozzarella, with the remainder consisting of other Italian varieties and pizza blends.
All the impacted items have been classified as Class II by regulatory authorities, indicating that while they may pose a risk of illness or injury, the likelihood is low and not typically severe.
The FDA cited concerns regarding “potential metal fragments from the supplier’s raw materials” as the reason for this recall.
Details about the supplier or how the contamination was detected have not been disclosed in the summary.
Consumers are advised to dispose of any affected cheese or return it to the store for a refund.
