Authorities have issued a broad recall affecting hundreds of thousands of shredded‑cheese packages sold at major retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Target and Aldi. The recall — triggered by potential metal‑fragment contamination — was issued by Great Lakes Cheese Co. and later re‑classified by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class II recall.
What’s Being Recalled
The recall covers a large number of shredded‑cheese products — including mozzarella, Italian‑style, pizza‑blend, and shredded mozzarella/provolone or mozzarella/parmesan blends — sold under various store‑brand or private‑label names such as Happy Farms (Aldi), Good & Gather (Target), Great Value (Walmart), Food Club and others.
In total, more than 260,000 cases — corresponding to over 1.5 million individual bags — have been impacted. The affected products were distributed across 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, with sell‑by or “best‑by” dates extending into early 2026.
Why the Recall — and What Consumers Should Do
According to the FDA, the concern is that certain packages may contain metal fragments, posing a risk of lacerations or injuries if ingested. The classification of the recall as “Class II” indicates that while serious injury is unlikely, the contaminated products “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”
Consumers who purchased shredded‑cheese bags from Walmart, Target, Aldi or other retailers are being urged to check their refrigerators and freezers — even if the cheese was stored. If the product matches any of the recalled types, it should be discarded or returned to the store for a refund.
Broader Context: Recalls, Retail & Consumer Safety Pressure
This latest recall follows an earlier recall in March 2025 when Aldi’s Happy Farms shredded Colby Jack cheese was pulled from shelves over stainless‑steel contamination — also linked to Great Lakes Cheese Co.
The recurrence underscores ongoing challenges for dairy manufacturers and retailers in ensuring supply‑chain quality and safe food processing. It also highlights how a single supplier issue can ripple across multiple major grocery chains — affecting thousands of consumers nationwide.
For shoppers, the recall serves as a reminder to remain vigilant with pantry staples and store‑brand foods, especially during peak buying periods when discounts and bulk purchases may mask product‑safety issues.
