A cheese lover's nightmare: Over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese have been recalled due to potential metal contamination. This is a serious situation, impacting numerous brands and major retailers. Let's dive into the details to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
This voluntary recall, initiated by Great Lakes Cheese Co., an Ohio-based company, in early October, involves a staggering 260,000+ cases of shredded cheese. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the recall due to the possibility of metal fragments found in the products. The FDA has classified this recall as “Class II,” meaning that consuming the affected products could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues. The FDA's investigation is ongoing.
Great Lakes Cheese Co. is a prominent manufacturer and packager of various cheese types.
So, what exactly is affected?
The recall includes the following shredded cheese varieties:
- 235,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese, under brands like Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, and many more.
- 1,900 cases of Happy Farms by Aldi Italian-style shredded cheese blend.
- 15,000+ cases of Italian-style shredded cheese blend, including Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, and others.
- 117 cases of Food Club finely shredded pizza-style four-cheese blend.
- 4,000+ cases of mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese blend, featuring brands like Econo, Food Club, and more.
- 4,000+ cases of mozzarella and non-smoked provolone cheese, including Freedom’s Choice, Good & Gather, and Great Value.
- 1,800+ cases of Good & Gather mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend.
The sell-by dates for these products range from January to late March of the coming year. You can find a complete list of affected products and their UPC codes on the FDA's website.
Where were these cheeses sold?
The affected shredded cheese products were available at major retailers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Target, Walmart, and Aldi. They were distributed across 31 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as Puerto Rico.
What should you do if you have these products?
The FDA advises that you either return the product to the place of purchase for a refund or discard it. Additionally, if the contaminated product came into contact with your fridge or countertops, thoroughly clean and disinfect those areas. Remember to wash your hands with warm water and soap after cleaning.
But here's where it gets controversial... The recall is a significant event, but it also raises questions about the manufacturing processes and quality control measures in place.
What are your thoughts? Are you surprised by the scope of this recall? Do you think the FDA's response is adequate? Share your opinions in the comments below – let's start a conversation!
