Over one million bags of shredded cheese from major retailers are being recalled due to metal contamination, affecting families across 31 states and Puerto Rico.
Quick Take
- The FDA issued a Class II recall on December 1, 2025, for shredded cheese products manufactured by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co., containing potential metal fragments
- More than one million bags sold under popular brands at Walmart, Publix, Aldi, and Target are affected, with sell-by dates ranging from January to March 2026
- The recall impacts 31 states and Puerto Rico, with nearly 236,000 cases of low-moisture mozzarella representing the most significant portion of contaminated products.
- Consumers should check UPC codes and product labels immediately, as metal fragments pose health risks despite the FDA rating potential injuries as remote
FDA Issues Urgent Cheese Recall for Metal Contamination
The Food and Drug Administration announced a significant product recall on December 1, targeting shredded cheese manufactured by Great Lakes Cheese Co., an Ohio-based producer.
The recall affects multiple cheese varieties sold under numerous brand names across major retail chains, including Walmart, Publix, Aldi, and Target. The FDA classified this recall as Class II, indicating the contaminated products could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, though serious injuries remain unlikely.
1.5 million bags of shredded cheese sold at Walmart, Target recalled over metal contamination fears https://t.co/E83vsjzFE4 pic.twitter.com/szOvVRnPaL
— New York Post (@nypost) December 3, 2025
Scope and Scale of the Contamination
The recall encompasses over one million bags of shredded cheese distributed across 31 states and Puerto Rico. Nearly 236,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese represent the largest portion of the contaminated inventory.
Additional affected products include 15,490 cases of Italian-style shredded cheese blend, 4,298 instances of pizza-style shredded cheese blend, 4,131 cases of mozzarella and provolone blend, plus specialty products from Aldi and Target. All affected products carry sell-by dates ranging from January through late March 2026.
Affected Brands and Consumer Action Steps
The contamination affects numerous popular brands stocked in American households, including Great Value (Walmart’s private label), Good & Gather (Target’s store brand), Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, and Publix.
Consumers should immediately inspect their refrigerators for recalled products by checking UPCs and brand names against the FDA’s comprehensive list. Those who find contaminated cheese should dispose of the product safely and contact the retailer for potential refunds or replacements.
Geographic Distribution and Availability
The recalled cheese was distributed to 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.
Residents in these areas should prioritize checking their cheese supplies, particularly if purchased from major retailers during the affected timeframe.
This recall underscores the importance of food safety oversight and manufacturer accountability.
American families depend on retailers and producers to maintain rigorous quality standards, and contamination events like this shake consumer confidence in grocery supply chains. Vigilant inspection of products before consumption remains essential until all affected inventory is removed from shelves.
