Several varieties of shredded mozzarella and other cheese blends have been recalled due to concerns of contamination with metal fragments. This significant recall affects multiple brands sold at major retailers, including Aldi, Target, and Walmart, and covers thousands of containers.
Great Lakes Cheese, a prominent natural cheese packager based in Ohio, initiated the recall, which involves several types of shredded cheese products ranging from mozzarella to pizza-style blends. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently elevated the risk classification of this recall to Class II, indicating that consumption of the contaminated products could lead to temporary health issues.
The affected products are distributed across 31 states, including populous regions like California, Florida, Texas, and New York, reaching as far as Puerto Rico. Consumers should be particularly cautious regarding shredded cheese with sell-by dates set for February and March 2026. The brands involved in the shredded cheese recall are numerous, including Always Save, Borden, Great Value, and several others.
In addition to the cheese blends, there is a separate recall concerning Pecorino Romano cheese due to confirmed listeria contamination. Ambriola Company, a New Jersey-based distributor, acted swiftly after routine testing revealed the dangerous bacteria, though no illnesses have been reported so far. The recalled products were distributed to various retail stores and other distributors between early and mid-November.
Ambriola has urged consumers to return or dispose of the affected Pecorino Romano products, which are sold under brand names such as Ambriola, Boar’s Head, and Member’s Mark. These products may be found in Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across 14 and 27 states, respectively, with expiration dates ranging from February to May 2026. Additionally, Wegman’s has also issued a recall for Locatelli-brand Pecorino Romano for the same contamination concerns across several states.
The FDA has advised customers to be vigilant for symptoms of listeria infection, which could manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated products. Symptoms generally include fever, headache, stiff neck, and muscle aches. Meanwhile, Ambriola has halted production of the associated products while they conduct a thorough investigation into their food safety protocols.
Consumers are encouraged to check their refrigerators and pantries for the affected products and take appropriate action for their safety.
