If you have recently shopped for dairy products at major retailers like Walmart, Target, or Aldi, you need to check your refrigerator immediately. In a massive food safety announcement this December 2025, the shredded cheese recalled list has expanded significantly, now encompassing over 1.5 million bags due to dangerous contamination risks.
This recall is widespread, affecting consumers in 31 states and Puerto Rico. It involves some of the most trusted and popular store brands in the country. Because this is a developing story with serious health implications, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you identify if you have any shredded cheese recalled products in your home.
Why Is Shredded Cheese Being Recalled?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturer, Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc., issued the recall after discovering that the products might contain foreign materials specifically metal fragments.
The FDA has classified this event as a Class II recall. This classification indicates that while the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote, the use of or exposure to the shredded cheese recalled product may still cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
The contamination stems from a supplier’s raw material, which means the issue is not limited to a single brand but has rippled across the supply chain to dozens of private labels. Ingesting metal fragments can lead to serious physical injury, including:
- Dental damage.
- Lacerations to the mouth or throat.
- Perforation or internal injuries to the digestive tract.
If you or a family member has consumed any of the shredded cheese recalled brands and is experiencing abdominal pain or discomfort, seek medical attention immediately.
What Brand of Cheese Is Recalled? (Full List)
Because the shredded cheese recalled originates from a major supplier, the list of affected brands is extensive. It includes budget-friendly options, premium store brands, and regional favorites.
The primary brands affected include:
- Walmart: Great Value (Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella, Pizza Style, Italian Style)
- Target: Good & Gather (Mozzarella, Italian Blends, Parmesan Blends)
- Aldi: Happy Farms (Italian Style, Mozzarella)
- H-E-B: Store brand and Hill Country Fare
- Other Retailers: Publix, Schnucks, Sprouts Farmers Market
Detailed List of Recalled Batch Codes and Dates
To help you identify the specific shredded cheese recalled products, we have created the following table. Please check the UPC Code and Best By Date on the back of your package carefully.
| Brand | Product Name | Package Size | UPC Code | Best By / Sell By Dates |
| Great Value (Walmart) | Italian Style Shredded Cheese | 8 oz | 7874201566 | Feb 12, 13, 16, 2026 |
| Great Value | Finely Shredded Mozzarella | 16 oz | 7874204492 | Feb 2026 dates |
| Great Value | Pizza Style Shredded Blend | 8 oz | 7874237475 | Feb 14, 15, 20, 2026 |
| Good & Gather (Target) | Mozzarella & Parmesan Blend | 8 oz | 8523903856 | Mar 15, 21, 22, 2026 |
| Good & Gather | Classic Mozzarella Shredded | 32 oz | 8523903852 | Mar 14, 2026 |
| Happy Farms (Aldi) | Italian Style Shredded Blend | 12 oz | 4061463330949 | Feb 22, 23, 2026 |
| Happy Farms | Shredded Mozzarella | 16 oz | 4061463330864 | Feb 8, 13, 14, 18, 2026 |
| Always Save | Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella | 5 lb | 7003865782 | Feb 15, 20, 22, 2026 |
| Borden | Shredded Mozzarella | 8 oz | 5300007162 | Feb 12, 16, 17, 20, 2026 |
| Brookshire’s | Italian 6-Cheese Blend | 8 oz | 9282510174 | Feb 14, 2026 |
| Cache Valley | Italian Style Shredded Cheese | 8 oz | 7495802553 | Feb 5, 2026 |
| Coburn Farms | Italian Style Shredded Blend | 12 oz | 5193365638 | Feb 15, 2026 |
| Food Club | Pizza Style Four Cheese | 8 oz | 3680045573 | Mar 21, 2026 |
| Gold Rush Creamery | Pizza Style Shredded Blend | 8 oz | 1401401014 | Mar 15, 2026 |
| H-E-B | Thick Cut Mozzarella | 8 oz | 4122061295 | Feb 5, 13, 19, 2026 |
| Publix | Shredded Mozzarella | 8 oz | 4141511665 | Feb 2026 dates |
| Simply Go | Pizza Blend Two Cheese Mix | 32 oz | 1015983020 | Feb 2026 dates |
(Note: This table represents a significant portion of the shredded cheese recalled list. Always refer to the official FDA database for the complete list of 100+ affected batch codes.)
Is Happy Farms Cheese Recalled?
A common question among budget-conscious shoppers is, “Is Happy Farms cheese recalled?” Yes.
Specific batches of Happy Farms cheese, sold exclusively at Aldi, are heavily impacted by this event. If you shop at Aldi, you need to be vigilant. The shredded cheese recalled from Happy Farms includes both their standard Mozzarella and their popular Italian Style Blend.
Consumers often wonder what makes this different from previous alerts. Unlike the smaller Colby Jack recall earlier in 2025, this December alert covers a much wider volume of product. The “Best By” dates to watch for are almost exclusively in February 2026. If your bag has a date in late 2025 or well into summer 2026, it is likely not part of this specific shredded cheese recalled lot.
What To Do With Recalled Shredded Cheese?
Finding out you have contaminated food in your house can be stressful. If you identify any shredded cheese recalled items in your refrigerator, follow these strict FDA guidelines to ensure your safety:
- Do Not Eat It: This is the most important rule. Even if the cheese looks, smells, and tastes fine, the metal fragments may be microscopic or hidden deep inside the shreds.
- Do Not Cook With It: Many people assume that melting the cheese on a pizza or in a pasta dish will make it safe. This is false. Heat does not destroy metal. Cooking shredded cheese recalled for metal contamination will not remove the physical hazard.
- Return It for a Refund: You do not need to lose money on this. Take the package back to the retailer (Walmart, Target, Aldi, etc.). Most stores are already aware of the shredded cheese recalled alert and will process a full refund without a receipt.
- Dispose of It Safely: If you cannot return it, do not just throw it in the open trash. Dispose of it in a sealed bag or container so that pets, stray animals, or wildlife cannot get into it and ingest the metal fragments.
How to Stay Safe from Future Recalls
Food safety is an ongoing concern. To ensure you don’t accidentally consume shredded cheese recalled products—or any other unsafe food—in the future, consider adopting these safety habits:
- Sign up for FDA Alerts: Visit the FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page to get free email notifications.
- Check Store Bulletin Boards: Stores like Aldi and Costco often post “Product Recall” notices near their exits or customer service desks.
- Follow Food Safety News: Keep an eye on major food safety blogs and news outlets.
Conclusion
The scale of this shredded cheese recalled event is massive, affecting millions of bags across the United States. With metal fragments posing a real risk of injury, it is critical to check your fridge today. Do not take chances with your health—if your cheese matches the codes in the table above, return it or toss it immediately.
Stay safe, check your labels, and share this article with friends and family to ensure they aren’t cooking with dangerous ingredients this week.