WASHINGTON, D.C.: A large recall affecting shredded cheese products across the United States is underway after federal regulators flagged a risk of metal fragments in more than 260,000 cases of cheese distributed in 31 states and Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Great Lakes Cheese Co. has pulled multiple varieties of shredded cheese sold under several private-label brands at major retailers, including Target, Walmart and Aldi.
The recall covers a range of products, from mozzarella and Italian-style blends to pizza, mozzarella-provolone, and mozzarella-parmesan mixes.
The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the affected items "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to its website.
The agency noted that swallowing metal fragments can cause dental injuries, cuts to the mouth or throat, or, in more severe cases, laceration or perforation of the intestine.
According to the FDA, the 31 states where cheese was distributed were:
- 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
