Multiple brands sold at Aldi, Target and Walmart affected over potential metal fragment contamination

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a mass recall of more than 1 million bags of shredded cheese sold at major retailers, including Aldi, Publix, Target and Walmart, across 31 states and Puerto Rico.

The shredded cheese manufacturer, Great Lakes Cheese Co. of Hiram, Ohio, initiated the voluntary recall, saying the products may be contaminated with metal fragments, which may cause internal injuries if consumed.

The FDA rated the recall as a Class II, which means the product could “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”

Which shredded cheese brands are being recalled?

Nearly 236,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese make up the biggest portion of the recall. A complete list of the products, sizes, UPCs and best-by dates can be found on the FDA website.

Shredded mozzarella cheese brands

Italian-style shredded cheese brands

Pizza-style shredded cheese brands

Blended shredded cheese brands

Where were the recalled products sold?

The recalled shredded cheese products have sell-by dates ranging from January to March 2026, according to the FDA.

They were sold at major retailers including Aldi, Publix, Target and Walmart in 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, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.

What to do if you bought any of the affected shredded cheese

The FDA urges customers not to consume any of the affected products and to throw them away, including those in the freezer. Customers can also return the affected shredded cheese to where they purchased it for a refund.