Small metal fragments hiding in your shredded mozzarella could send you to the emergency room. Great Lakes Cheese Co. recalled over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese after discovering metal fragments that pose serious injury risks if swallowed. The FDA classified this as a Class II recall—meaning the contamination could cause temporary but real harm to anyone who eats it. These bags carry sell-by dates stretching into early 2026, so they’re likely still sitting in refrigerators across America right now.
Many Major Store Brands Got Hit
The contamination reached dozens of private-label brands sold at major grocery chains nationwide.
The recall reads like a grocery store directory. Great Value, Happy Farms from Aldi, Good & Gather from Target, Publix store brand, H-E-B’s Hill Country Fare—if you buy shredded cheese from a major retailer, your bag could be on the list. The contaminated products include plain mozzarella, Italian blends, and mozzarella mixed with cheddar, provolone, or parmesan.
Distribution hit 31 states plus Puerto Rico, reaching many major grocery chains from Walmart to Sprouts.
Key Details:
- Retailers affected: Walmart, Target, Aldi, Publix, H-E-B, Sprouts, Stater Bros.
- Geographic reach: 31 states plus Puerto Rico, coast to coast
- Date codes: January through March 2026 sell-by dates
- Product types: Multiple shredded mozzarella products and Italian-style blends sold under affected brands
What You Need to Do Now
Don’t wait—check your cheese bags immediately and take these specific steps to protect your family.
Grab every bag of shredded cheese from your fridge and freezer. Match the brand name and sell-by date against the FDA’s official recall list—this is the only way to know for certain if your specific bag is contaminated. When in doubt, throw it out.
The metal fragments are small enough to hide but large enough to potentially damage teeth, cut your mouth, or cause digestive injuries.
If you find recalled cheese, stop eating it immediately. Toss the bag or return it to the store for a refund. Clean any surfaces the cheese touched with disinfectant, then wash your hands thoroughly.
Anyone experiencing mouth pain, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained stomach discomfort after eating these products should contact their doctor immediately and mention the recall.
Companies say they’ve pulled affected products from shelves, but the long shelf life means contaminated bags could remain in home refrigerators for months. Your safety depends on checking that FDA list yourself—don’t assume the store handled everything.
