Millions of Bags of Cheese Recalled Due to Metal Contamination

Cheese lovers, listen up! If you’ve recently bought shredded cheese from popular stores like Walmart, Target, or Aldi, it’s time to check your fridge. Over a million bags of cheese are being recalled because they might contain pieces of metal, posing a risk of injury if consumed.

What’s Being Recalled?

The recall was initiated by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co. on October 3rd and has since been updated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The affected products could contain metal fragments. The FDA has classified this as a “Class II” recall, meaning the contamination could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues.

These recalled cheeses were distributed across 31 states and Puerto Rico. The specific products include various brands of low-moisture, part-skim shredded mozzarella, Italian-style shredded cheese blends, shredded pizza-style cheese blends, and mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese blends. The sell-by dates for the affected bags are primarily in February and March of 2026.

Identifying the Affected Brands

• **Low-moisture, part-skim shredded mozzarella:** Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Chestnut Hill, Coburn Farms, Econo, Food Club, Food Lion, Gold Rush Creamery, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese, Happy Farms by Aldi, H-E-B, Hill Country Fare, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Lucerne Dairy Farms, Nu Farm, Publix, Schnuck’s, Simply Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Stater Bros. Markets, and Sunnyside Farms.
• **Italian-style shredded cheese blend:** Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Great Value, Happy Farms by Aldi, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Publix, and Simply Go.
• **Shredded pizza-style cheese blend:** Econo, Food Club, Great Value, Gold Rush Creamery, Laura Lynn, and Simply Go.
• **Mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese blend:** Freedom’s Choice, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese, and Great Value.
• **Mozzarella and Parmesan blend:** Good & Gather.

For a complete list of affected products, you can refer to the FDA’s official website.

Real Cheese vs. Processed Cheese: What’s the Difference?

This recall has also sparked conversations about what constitutes “real” cheese versus processed cheese products. With so many additives and fillers in some products, it’s helpful to know how to spot the difference. Here are some key indicators:

1. **Ingredients:** Real cheese typically has few ingredients: milk, salt, enzymes/rennet, and bacterial cultures. Processed versions often contain vegetable oils, modified starches, artificial colors, and emulsifiers.
2. **Labeling:** Look for terms like Cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan, or Mozzarella. Labels like “Pasteurized Process Cheese Food,” “Cheese Product,” or “Imitation Cheese” indicate it’s not standard cheese.
3. **Texture and Melting:** Real cheese has a natural texture and melts unevenly, sometimes browning. Processed cheese often melts into a uniform, glossy puddle and can be rubbery.
4. **Price and Packaging:** If a cheese is extremely cheap, it likely contains fillers. Block cheese is generally more indicative of real cheese than individually wrapped slices.
5. **Shelf Stability:** Real cheese needs refrigeration and can mold naturally. Processed cheese can last much longer without molding, often just drying out.
6. **GMO Indicators:** While cheese itself isn’t typically GMO, additives like soy or vegetable oils might be. Look for certifications like USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified.
7. **Taste and Aroma:** Real cheese has a more complex aroma and flavor that can vary. Processed cheese often has a milder, more artificial taste and a consistent texture.

Preventing Metal Shards in Canned Goods

While this recall involves cheese, the issue of metal fragments in food can extend to canned goods. A simple tip to prevent ingesting metal scraps from can edges is to wipe the rim and edges of the can with a soft tissue before consuming the contents. This can help remove any loose metal flakes.