Urgent Nationwide Cheese Recalls Issued Amidst Safety Concerns
Consumers across the United States are urged to check their refrigerators following two significant, yet distinct, nationwide cheese recalls. These alerts, issued in early December 2025, target a vast array of shredded mozzarella and multi-cheese blends due to potential metal contamination, alongside several brands of grated Pecorino Romano facing a serious Listeria risk. Both sets of recalled products boast extended sell-by dates into 2026 and were widely distributed through major retailers in numerous states.
Shredded Cheese Alert: Metal Fragments Prompt Class II Recall
The larger of the two recalls originates from Great Lakes Cheese, an Ohio-based industry leader in natural cheese packaging. Initiated in early October, this recall encompasses a half-dozen shredded cheese products, including various mozzarella, pizza-style, and Italian-style blends. The core concern: the possible presence of metal fragments.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has elevated this issue to a Class II risk classification, signifying that consumption of these products could lead to "temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." This serious classification underscores the potential danger posed by the contaminants.
These affected shredded cheeses are sold under numerous brand names at major nationwide retailers such as Target, Walmart, Publix, and Aldi. Their extensive distribution covers 31 U.S. 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, Wisconsin—as well as Puerto Rico.
Specific recalled products, marked with varying sell-by dates in February and March 2026, include:
- Low-moisture part-skim shredded mozzarella: Brands like 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: Found under Brookshire's, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Great Value, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Publix, Simply Go, and Happy Farms by Aldi.
- Shredded pizza-style cheese blend: From Food Club, Econo, Gold Rush Creamery, Great Value, Laura Lynn, and Simply Go.
- Mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese blend: Brands include Freedom's Choice, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese, and Great Value.
- Mozzarella and parmesan blend: Specifically from Good & Gather.
For a comprehensive list of all affected products, consumers are advised to consult the official FDA website. Neither the FDA nor Great Lakes Cheese had publicly commented on NPR's inquiries by the time of the initial report.
Pecorino Romano Recall: Listeria Threat from Grated Varieties
A separate and equally critical recall involves grated Pecorino Romano, initiated by The Ambriola Company, a New Jersey-based cheese distributor. Last week, the company announced the recall after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium capable of causing severe, potentially life-threatening infections.
While no illnesses linked to this specific recall have been reported, Ambriola has proactively recalled all products processed at the affected facility between November 3 and November 20 out of an "abundance of caution."
Ambriola CEO Phil Marfuggi emphasized the company's commitment to food safety, stating, "We immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves. We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation." The company has temporarily suspended production and distribution of the affected products while conducting a thorough review of its sanitation and food safety protocols.
The recalled Pecorino Romano products, which have expiration dates ranging from February to May 2026, were sold in both plastic containers and pound-sized plastic bags under the brand names Ambriola, Locatelli, Pinna, Boar's Head, and Member's Mark.
These products reached consumers through various channels:
- Walmart: Locations in 14 states.
- Sam's Club: Locations in 27 states.
- Wegman's: Specifically recalled Locatelli-brand Pecorino Romano sold between November 14 and November 24 in stores across Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Consumer Advisory: What to Do
The FDA strongly advises consumers who have purchased any of the recalled cheeses to either dispose of them immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.
For those who may have consumed contaminated Pecorino Romano, it is crucial to monitor for symptoms of Listeria infection, which typically manifest within two weeks of exposure. Symptoms can include fever, headache, stiff neck, and muscle aches. Individuals experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled product should promptly contact their doctor.
