What You Need to Know About the Nationwide Cheese Recall

A major nationwide cheese recall is underway in the U.S., affecting millions of bags of shredded cheese and several popular grated cheeses due to possible contamination with metal fragments and Listeria bacteria. Federal health officials and manufacturers are urging consumers to check their refrigerators and dispose of or return recalled products.

According to News Center Maine, the biggest portion of the recall comes from Great Lakes Cheese Co., which voluntarily pulled about 1.5 million bags of shredded cheeses after concerns that metal fragments could be present, posing a risk of cuts or injury if consumed.

These products were sold nationwide under dozens of store-brand names at major retailers including Target, Walmart, Aldi, and Publix. The recall covers a variety of shredded cheese types, including low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, Italian-style, pizza blends, and mozzarella/provolone mixtures with sell-by dates into early 2026.

In a separate but overlapping recall, The Ambriola Company and suppliers alerted customers that grated Pecorino Romano cheeses sold under brands like Boar’s Head, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, and Pinna may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

If you have any of these cheeses in your home, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them safely. Always check official FDA recall listings for UPC codes and specific product details.

Here's a list of what should be returned: