Louisville, KY, December 4, 2025
The FDA has announced a recall of over 260,000 cases of shredded cheese products sold across 31 states and Puerto Rico due to potential metal contamination. The recall includes various cheese blends produced by Great Lakes Cheese Co., sold under private labels at major retailers like Target and Walmart. Consumers are advised to avoid consumption and return products for a full refund. The recall was initiated after safety concerns arose, highlighting potential health risks from ingesting metal fragments.
FDA Recalls Millions of Bags of Shredded Cheese Due to Metal Contamination
Louisville, KY – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of over 260,000 cases of shredded cheese products sold across 31 states and Puerto Rico. The recall is due to potential contamination with metal fragments, posing a risk of injury to consumers.
Details of the Recall
The affected shredded cheese products were produced by Great Lakes Cheese Co. and sold under various private store-brand labels at major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Aldi. The recall encompasses a range of cheese varieties, such as:
- Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella
- Italian-style blends
- Pizza-style blends
- Mozzarella and provolone blends
- Mozzarella and parmesan blends
The recall has been classified as a Class II recall, indicating that consumption of the affected products may lead to temporary or medically reversible health consequences, with a low probability of serious adverse health consequences. Potential injuries from ingesting metal fragments include dental damage, lacerations of the mouth or throat, and lacerations or perforations of the intestine.
States Affected
The recall affects consumers in the following states and Puerto Rico:
- 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
- Wisconsin
- Puerto Rico
Consumer Advisory
Consumers who have purchased the affected shredded cheese products are advised not to consume them. Instead, they should dispose of the products safely or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For a complete list of the recalled products, including specific package sizes, UPC codes, batch numbers, and sell-by dates, consumers can refer to the FDA’s official recall notice.
Background
The recall was initiated after Great Lakes Cheese Co. identified the potential for metal fragment contamination in certain shredded cheese products. The FDA has been working closely with the company to ensure the safety of consumers and to facilitate the removal of the affected products from the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What products are included in the recall?
The recall includes shredded cheese products such as low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, Italian-style blends, pizza-style blends, mozzarella and provolone blends, and mozzarella and parmesan blends. These products were sold under various private store-brand labels at major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Aldi.
Which states are affected by the recall?
The recall affects consumers in the following states and Puerto Rico: 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, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico.
What should consumers do if they have purchased the affected products?
Consumers who have purchased the affected shredded cheese products are advised not to consume them. Instead, they should dispose of the products safely or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For a complete list of the recalled products, including specific package sizes, UPC codes, batch numbers, and sell-by dates, consumers can refer to the FDA’s official recall notice.
What are the potential health risks associated with consuming the contaminated cheese?
Consuming the contaminated cheese may lead to temporary or medically reversible health consequences, with a low probability of serious adverse health consequences. Potential injuries from ingesting metal fragments include dental damage, lacerations of the mouth or throat, and lacerations or perforations of the intestine.
How can consumers identify the recalled products?
Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking the package details, including UPC codes, batch numbers, and sell-by dates, as provided in the FDA’s official recall notice. The notice includes a complete list of the affected products to assist consumers in identifying and returning the recalled items.
Key Features of the Recall
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Recall Issuer | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| Product Affected | Shredded cheese products |
| Manufacturer | Great Lakes Cheese Co. |
| Retailers Involved | Target, Walmart, Aldi |
| States Affected | 31 states and Puerto Rico |
| Health Risk Classification | Class II recall |
| Potential Health Risks | Dental damage, lacerations of the mouth or throat, lacerations or perforations of the intestine |
| Consumer Advisory | Do not consume; dispose of or return for a refund |
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