ALERT: Americans must remain alert when eating, as metal fragments found in Aldi’s Happy Farms shredded Colby Jack cheese have triggered a widespread recall across four states.
The FDA has issued a Class II recall affecting nearly 5,000 bags of cheese that could contain dangerous stainless steel fragments.
The recall impacts approximately 4,800 bags of Happy Farms shredded Colby Jack cheese distributed in Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc. voluntarily initiated the recall on February 15 after discovering potential stainless steel contamination in their 12-ounce flexible plastic stand-up pouches.
The affected products, with UPC code 4061463330840, have “best by” dates of July 13 and 14, 2025.
The agency classified this as a Class II recall, which they define as “a situation in which use of 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.”
Despite this seemingly reassuring classification, metal fragments in food products pose serious risks to consumers, including potential injuries to the mouth, throat, and digestive system.
Aldi claims to have procedures in place to handle such situations “swiftly and effectively.” According to their recall policy:
“A ‘pull-from-sale’ alert from either the manufacturer of the suspect product or our own Corporate Buying Department will trigger a rapid response plan for handling recalls. Products that do not meet ALDI or government standards in any of these areas will be efficiently and effectively removed from sale.”
Yet the company has remained suspiciously silent on this issue, failing to respond to media requests for comment.
This lack of transparency raises questions about how seriously the company is taking consumer safety concerns. With 114 stores in Michigan alone and 2,474 nationwide, thousands of families could potentially be exposed to contaminated products.
This pull is part of a disturbing trend of food safety issues in 2025. Earlier this year, Dunkin’ products and Lyons ReadyCare faced recalls due to listeria contamination.
Over 75,000 International Delight Coffee Creamer bottles were also pulled from shelves following consumer complaints of spoilage and illness.
Moreover, consumers who purchased the affected cheese are advised to dispose of it immediately and not attempt to consume it.
While Aldi has not explicitly mentioned refunds, customers should retain receipts and packaging as evidence of purchase.
The recall currently has no established termination date, suggesting the investigation into how metal fragments entered food products remains ongoing.
The German-owned grocery chain, which prides itself on its private-label products with over 90% being Aldi-exclusive brands, now faces scrutiny over its quality control measures.
Founded by the Albrecht family in Germany in 1961, with its first U.S. store opening in Iowa in 1976, Aldi has grown to operate in 38 states with over 45,000 employees.
This recall tests whether the company’s rapid expansion has compromised its ability to ensure product safety for hardworking American families.
As Aldi continues to manage this significant product issue, consumers must be vigilant, checking their groceries and staying updated on recall notices to protect their health.
