The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the recall of over 1.5 million shredded cheese bags produced by Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc., located in Hiram, Ohio. This recall is due to a possible risk of contamination with metal fragments.
According to the FDA's alert, the cheese was distributed to major retailers like Target, Walmart, Publix, and Aldi, and has been removed from stores across 31 states and Puerto Rico. This recall is classified as Class II, indicating that, as per the agency's official definition, it involves "a situation where the use or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."
Yahoo News reports that the manufacturing company voluntarily initiated the recall on October 3, 2025, with the FDA updating the risk level on December 1. So far, there have been no injuries reported in association with the consumption of the recalled cheeses.
CBS News highlighted that the recall encompasses approximately 236,000 cases of the product, each containing between four and twelve bags. The expiration dates of the affected cheeses range from January to March 2026.
The recall affects several brands, including Great Value (Walmart), Good & Gather (Target), Happy Farms (Aldi), Publix, Food Club, Brookshire’s, Borden, Coburn Farms, Lucerne Dairy Farms, Cache Valley Creamery, Simply Go, and H-E-B, among other private labels distributed nationwide.
The Associated Press reported that the FDA's notice includes various types of shredded cheese, such as mozzarella, Italian blends, pizza blends, and combinations of mozzarella with provolone or parmesan. The communication warns that ingesting metal fragments could cause "dental damage, oral or throat lacerations, or intestinal perforations," although the likelihood of severe consequences is low.
Health authorities advise consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers and to avoid consuming the affected products. If purchased, it is recommended to discard them or return them to the place of purchase. The complete list of products and UPC codes included in the recall is available on the FDA's official website.
Understanding the Shredded Cheese Recall
What is the reason for the shredded cheese recall?
The recall is due to a potential contamination with metal fragments found in over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese.
Which brands are affected by the recall?
Brands affected include Great Value, Good & Gather, Happy Farms, Publix, Food Club, Brookshire's, Borden, Coburn Farms, Lucerne Dairy Farms, Cache Valley Creamery, Simply Go, and H-E-B.
What should consumers do if they have purchased the affected cheese?
Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers, and if they have the affected products, they should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.