A Major Shredded Cheese Recall: What Shoppers Need to Check Right Now

A nationwide shredded cheese recall has prompted new warnings from the FDA, and many shoppers may still have the affected products sitting in their refrigerators without knowing it. Great Lakes Cheese Co., one of the largest cheese manufacturers in the United States, has voluntarily recalled over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese after discovering that certain products may contain metal fragments originating from a supplier’s raw materials.

Although the company announced the recall earlier in October, the FDA recently classified it as a Class II recall, signaling a potential risk of temporary or medically reversible health issues for anyone who consumes the contaminated product. While the likelihood of severe harm is considered low, the agency is urging consumers to carefully review their cheese labels and take appropriate action.

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Key Takeaways

• What: Voluntary recall of multiple shredded cheese products.

• Why: Possible contamination with metal fragments.

• Who: Manufacturer: Great Lakes Cheese Co.

• Where: Distributed to 31 states and Puerto Rico.

• Retailers: Sold at major chains including Walmart, Target, Aldi, Publix, H-E-B, Food Lion, Sprouts, and more.

• Classification: FDA Class II recall.

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How the Recall Started

The issue came to light after a supplier notified Great Lakes Cheese that a batch of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella could contain foreign material. Once alerted, the manufacturer traced the affected raw material, isolated it, and removed all associated finished products from distribution. According to the company, any cheese currently found on store shelves is considered safe, as all impacted inventory has been pulled.

However, millions of bags had already been shipped out before the issue was discovered—meaning many households may still have recalled bags stored in their refrigerator or freezer.

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Which Products Are Affected?

The recall spans a wide variety of shredded cheese blends, cuts, and package sizes sold under numerous private-label store brands. In total, more than 250,000 cases—amounting to over 1.5 million individual bags—are involved.

Some of the store brands affected include:

• Always Save

• Borden

• Brookshire’s

• Cache Valley Creamery

• Coburn Farms

• Food Club

• Food Lion

• Good & Gather (Target)

• Great Value (Walmart)

• Happy Farms (Aldi)

• H-E-B & Hill Country Fare

• Lucerne Dairy Farms (Safeway/Albertsons)

• Publix

• Sprouts Farmers Market

• Stater Bros.

• Sunnyside Farms

Products were distributed to states including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Alabama, Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, and many more, covering most major regions of the United States as well as Puerto Rico.

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What Shoppers Should Do Now

If you have purchased shredded cheese in recent months, check the brand name, UPC code, and “best by” date. Most recalled bags have dates ranging from January through late March 2026. Consumers who find a matching item should stop using it immediately.

Your options include:

• Return the product to the store for a full refund.

• Safely discard the product if a return is not convenient.

• Clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers, or utensils that came into contact with the cheese to avoid accidental ingestion of metal fragments.

Even a small metal piece can damage teeth, irritate the digestive tract, or—in rare cases—create internal injuries. While the FDA considers the risk of serious harm low, it is still important to err on the side of caution.

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Why This Recall Matters

Although food recalls are not unusual, recalls involving metal contamination are taken seriously because the foreign material is not always visible. Shredded cheese, in particular, is often used in large quantities and added quickly to meals, making it easy to overlook potential contaminants.

With many of the bags sold through major retail chains and under popular store brands, this recall affects a broad portion of the U.S. consumer market. Even if you think your brand is unlikely to be involved, a quick label check can prevent unnecessary risk.

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Bottom Line

If you’ve bought shredded cheese recently, take a moment to inspect the packaging. With over a million bags included in this recall, there’s a real possibility you may have one at home. Confirm your brand, UPC, and date, and follow FDA guidelines if your product appears on the recall list. When it comes to potential metal contamination, it’s better to act early and stay safe.