FDA Issues Recall of Shredded Cheese Over Possible Metal Contamination

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for over 1 million bags of shredded cheese due to the possible presence of metal particles or Listeria.
• The recalled products were sold at national retailers, including Walmart, Aldi, Publix, Target, and Ambriola, among others.
• The recall affects 64 different cheese products and spans 32 states and regions.

The Food and Drug Administration issued an active recall for over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese products due to the potential presence of metal fragments or Listeria contamination.

On December 1, the FDA elevated the recall to a Class II, meaning “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

The cheeses affected by the recall may have metal fragments from the suppliers’ raw materials. This may pose a risk of intestinal injury or illness to consumers; however, no illnesses or deaths have been reported to date.

According to the FDA, the shredded cheese products were distributed to major retail stores, including Walmart, Aldi, Publix, and Target, as well as other distributors, between November 3 and 20.

Great Lakes Cheese issued a recall of roughly half a dozen types of shredded cheeses in early October due to the possibility of containing metal fragments.

“We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves,” Ambriola CEO Phil Marfuggi said in a statement. “We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.”

Healthline reached out to various retailers, such as Walmart, Aldi, and Target, but the companies couldn’t be reached for comment.

If you have any shredded cheese that matches this information, it’s recommended that you either dispose of it or return it to the retailer where you purchased it for a potential refund.

According to the FDA, metal fragments or particles in food can cause injury when ingested.

This may include dental damage, lacerations of the mouth or throat, or lacerations or perforation of the intestine.

Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiology dietitian and registered nutritionist with Entirely Nourished, echoed the FDA’s warnings.

“Ingesting metal particles can cause immediate physical injury,” she told Healthline.

“Larger or sharp fragments may chip teeth, damage dental work, or cut the mouth, throat, esophagus, or gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing pain, bleeding, infection, or even a perforation.”

Some of the cheese products impacted by the recall may be contaminated with Listeria.

Listeria symptoms are generally mild. However, some people with an intestinal illness may develop an invasive form of the disease. This means the infection spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body.

If the infection becomes invasive, symptoms may include:

• fever
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• stiff neck
• confusion
• loss of balance
• seizures

You should speak with a healthcare professional if both of the following apply to you:

• You have ingested food that has been recalled or linked to an outbreak.
• You are experiencing fever or other symptoms of listeria infection.

Let the healthcare professional know if you have possibly eaten contaminated food. This is especially important if you are pregnant, over 65 years old, or have a weakened immune system.

If you have recently purchased shredded cheese products, check if your product has been recalled.

If it has, avoid consuming any recalled items and follow the disposal or return instructions.

Routhenstein noted that if you have already consumed the cheese products, the risk from a single small fragment is fairly low.