Shredded cheese recall
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EXPANDED RECALL 12/2025 — Metal Fragments in More Than Just Aldi Cheese | DANGER in The United States and Puerto Rico

ByBecky Cross

The cheese recall has widened into one of the largest food safety alerts of the year. Great Lakes Cheese Co. of Ohio is recalling close to 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese after the FDA reclassified the situation as a Class II recall. Metal fragments were found in the products, and while no illnesses have been reported, the recall now spans dozens of brand names across major retailers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It is a great time to check your cheese drawer and adjust your shopping lists for a bit. Just in case it expands again. And let’s not ever think about all the cheese pot-luck dishes most of us recently ate. This is a rough recall at one of the most terrible times.

Cheese Recall Expanded List

The affected shredded cheeses include mozzarella, Italian blends, pizza blends, and mixed varieties. Below is the full list of recalled products, with brand names, styles, and identifiers.

For the full list of UPCs and sell‑by dates tied to this cheese recall, see the FDA’s enforcement report.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

  • Always Save Shredded Low‑Moisture Part‑Skim Mozzarella
  • Borden Shredded Low‑Moisture Part‑Skim Mozzarella / Thick Cut
  • Brookshire’s Shredded, Finely Shredded, and Thick Cut Mozzarella
  • Cache Valley Creamery Shredded Mozzarella
  • Chestnut Hill Fancy Shredded Mozzarella
  • Coburn Farms Shredded Mozzarella
  • Econo Shredded Mozzarella
  • Food Club Shredded and Finely Shredded Mozzarella
  • Food Lion Shredded Mozzarella
  • Gold Rush Creamery Shredded Mozzarella
  • Good & Gather Fine Cut and Classic Mozzarella
  • Great Lakes Cheese Shredded and Finely Shredded Mozzarella
  • Happy Farms by Aldi Shredded Mozzarella
  • H‑E‑B Shredded, Thick Cut, and Fancy Mozzarella
  • Hill Country Fare Shredded Mozzarella
  • Know & Love Fine Cut, Classic Cut, and Thick Cut Mozzarella
  • Laura Lynn Shredded, Finely Shredded, and Thick Cut Mozzarella
  • Lucerne Dairy Farms Shredded, Finely Shredded, and Rustic Cut Mozzarella
  • Nu Farm Fancy Shredded Mozzarella
  • Publix Shredded Mozzarella
  • Schuck’s Shredded Mozzarella
  • Simply Go Classic Cut and Rustic Cut Mozzarella
  • Sprouts Farmers Market Shredded and Finely Shredded Mozzarella
  • Stater Bros. Markets Shredded and Finely Shredded Mozzarella
  • Sunnyside Farms Shredded Mozzarella

Shredded Italian‑Style Cheese

  • Happy Farms by Aldi Italian‑Style Shredded Cheese
  • Brookshire’s Italian 6 Cheese Finely Shredded
  • Cache Valley Creamery Six Cheese Italian Finely Shredded
  • Coburn Farms Italian Style Finely Shredded
  • Great Value Italian Style Finely Shredded
  • Know & Love Italian Style Fine Cut
  • Laura Lynn Italian Blend Finely Shredded
  • Publix Italian Six Cheese Blend Fancy Shredded
  • Simply Go Italian Style Six Cheese Blend Fine Cut

Shredded Pizza‑Style Cheese

  • Food Club Pizza Style Two Cheese Blend (Shredded and Finely Shredded)
  • Food Club Finely Shredded Pizza Style Four Cheese Blend
  • Econo Pizza Shredded
  • Gold Rush Creamery Pizza Blend Shredded
  • Great Value Pizza Blend Shredded
  • Laura Lynn Pizza Blend Finely Shredded
  • Simply Go Pizza Blend Two Cheese Mix Classic Cut
  • Freedom’s Choice Pizza Blend Fine Cut
  • Good & Gather Mozzarella & Provolone Classic
  • Great Lakes Cheese Mozzarella & Provolone Shredded
  • Great Value Provolone & Mozzarella Blend Shredded

Shredded Mozzarella And Parmesan Blends

  • Good & Gather Mozzarella & Parmesan Shredded Cheese Blend

Where the Cheese was Sold

The recalled shredded cheeses were sold at Aldi, Walmart, Target, Publix, Sprouts, H‑E‑B, Food Lion, Brookshire’s, Stater Bros., Schuck’s, and other major retailers. Distribution covered 31 states plus Puerto Rico, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico.

Why There Is Metal in the Cheese

The contamination comes from the production process. Industrial shredders and conveyors use metal blades and parts. If a blade chips or machinery wears down, fragments can end up in the product. With Great Lakes Cheese supplying so many private labels, one mechanical failure can ripple across millions of bags.

Symptoms if You Ate the Recalled Cheese

Eating food contaminated with metal fragments can cause:

  • Mouth or dental injuries (broken teeth, cuts)
  • Throat irritation or choking
  • Abdominal pain or internal injury if swallowed
  • Nausea or discomfort if sharp fragments cause minor internal damage

The FDA classified this cheese recall as Class II because the risk of serious injury exists.

What Consumers Need To Do

  • Check your fridge and freezer. Compare UPCs and best‑by dates against the FDA’s recall list.
  • Do not eat the cheese. Toss it or return it for a refund.
  • Seek medical attention if you experience pain, choking, or unusual symptoms after consuming the recalled cheese.

Metal in Cheese is Bad, MMMk

Cheese is supposed to be comfort food, not a hazard. This expanded cheese recall shows how one supplier’s slip can ripple across dozens of brands and stores. It’s a reminder to check labels, batch codes, and stay alert — because nobody wants metal in their mozzarella or parmesan.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consumers with health concerns should consult a qualified professional.

Becky writes from the red dirt crossroads of folk tradition and modern life. She’s a beekeeper, an archivist of handed-down remedies, and a self-proclaimed floral archeologist. Her work brings a grounded voice to astrology, wanderlust to travel, and celebrations with soul. She honors seasonal rhythms, old ways, and the everyday rituals that keep us rooted.

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