Over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese from major retailers face recall due to potential metal contamination, raising serious questions about food safety oversight and supply chain accountability.
At a Glance
- Great Lakes Cheese Co. initiated a voluntary recall affecting over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese sold at Walmart, Target, and Aldi across 31 states and Puerto Rico
- The recall stems from potential metal fragments discovered in supplier raw material, classified as Class II by the FDA on December 1, 2025
- Affected products include popular brands such as Great Value, Borden, Food Club, and Happy Farms with sell-by dates running through March 2026
- Over 263,000 cases of shredded cheese are involved in the recall, with mozzarella products comprising the largest portion at 235,000 cases
- Consumers are urged to discard affected products or return them for refunds, raising concerns about how such contamination occurred in the first place
Major Retailers Affected by Widespread Cheese Recall
A significant food safety issue has emerged as Great Lakes Cheese Co., based in Hiram, Ohio, initiated a voluntary recall beginning October 3, 2025, affecting shredded cheese products distributed to major retailers nationwide.
The recall encompasses over 1.5 million bags sold at Walmart, Target, and Aldi, reaching consumers across 31 states and Puerto Rico. This widespread distribution underscores the scale of potential exposure and the critical importance of supply chain transparency in protecting American families from contaminated food products.
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
Metal Contamination Traced to Supplier Raw Material
The FDA officially classified the recall as Class II on December 1, 2025, citing potential metal fragments originating from supplier raw material as the primary concern. Class II classifications indicate that while the contamination could cause illness or injury, the risk is considered lower and not typically life-threatening.
However, the presence of foreign objects in food products represents a fundamental breach of food safety standards and raises troubling questions about quality control measures at the supplier level and the manufacturer’s oversight responsibilities.
Extensive Product Lines and Brands Impacted
The recall affects multiple cheese varieties and numerous consumer brands, including Great Value, Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Happy Farms, Food Club, Econo, Gold Rush Creamery, Freedom’s Choice, and Good & Gather, among others.
Over 263,000 cases of shredded cheese are involved, with more than 235,000 cases of shredded mozzarella alone affected.
The affected products include mozzarella, Italian-style blends, pizza blends, and mozzarella-based mixes with sell-by dates extending through March 2026, meaning consumers may unknowingly purchase contaminated products for months.
Lack of Transparency and Public Communication
Notably, Great Lakes Cheese Co. did not issue a public press release regarding the contamination, instead notifying only direct consignees of the problem according to FDA records.
This lack of proactive public communication raises concerns about corporate accountability and whether consumers received adequate warning in a timely manner.
The delayed FDA classification on December 1, 2025—nearly two months after the recall began on October 3—further highlights potential gaps in the regulatory response system designed to protect American families from dangerous food products.
Consumer Action and Supply Chain Accountability
Consumers are advised to discard affected cheese products or return them to retailers for refunds. This situation underscores the need for stronger supply chain accountability measures and enhanced quality control protocols to prevent foreign contamination from reaching American dinner tables.
Families deserve confidence that the food they purchase meets rigorous safety standards, and manufacturers must prioritize transparency and swift public notification when safety concerns arise.
