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Widespread Recall Announced
A major food safety alert has been issued after Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc. recalled more than 1 million bags of shredded cheese distributed to top retailers across the United States. According to the FDA, the products may contain metal fragments, prompting a Class1 recall, indicating a moderate potential health risk. The affected items span multiple store brands and cheese varieties.
Multiple Cheese Types and Brands Impacted
The recall covers a broad range of pre-shredded cheese products, reflecting the scale of the manufacturing supply chain involved. Items include:
Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella (shredded)
Italian-style shredded blends
Pizza-style shredded cheese
Mixed varieties such as Mozzarella-Provolone and Mozzarella-Parmesan
Brands affected include well-known private labels such as Great Value (Walmart), Good & Gather (Target), Happy Farms (Aldi), as well as Borden, Brookshire’s, Food Lion, Food Club, Cache Valley Creamery, and others.
Retailers and Distribution Reach
The recalled cheese products were sold at major national chains—including Walmart, Target, and Aldi—as well as numerous regional supermarkets. Distribution extended across 31 states and Puerto Rico, highlighting the broad reach of the shared production system and the potential exposure for consumers nationwide.
Metal Fragments Trigger Safety Concerns
The recall was initiated after the discovery that some bags may contain metal fragments introduced during production. While classified as a Class 1 event, the FDA warns that consuming affected products could cause:
Mouth, gum, or tooth injuries
Scratches or cuts in the throat
GI tract irritation or, in rare cases, perforation
Despite the scale of the recall, no major injuries have been publicly reported.
Guidance for Consumers
Officials urge consumers to immediately check their refrigerators for potentially affected shredded cheese products. Those matching recalled brands, sizes, or lot codes should not be consumed under any circumstances. Recommended actions include disposing of the product or returning it to the retailer for a refund. The FDA cautions that metal fragments can be extremely small and may not be visible, making home inspection unreliable.
