More than 1.5 million bags of mixed stocks sold at major retailers, including in California, have been voluntarily recalled due to possible metal contamination, authorities said.
The recall was initiated in early October by Great Lakes Cheese Co, an Ohio-based company, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The voluntary recall covered more than 260,000 cases of burnt cheese, and was triggered by the possibility of metal fragments in the products, the FDA notice said.
The FDA upgraded Monday to “class ii,” which means that the use or exposure to the indicated products may cause temporary or “medically adverse” effects.
The FDA’s investigation into the recall is ongoing. Great Lakes Cheese Co.
The company bills itself on its website as “Premier Water and Packager of Natural and Equed Bulk, Processed and Sliced Cheese.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Which cheese is affected?
The FDA has expanded the following cases of cheese as part of the recall:
- 235,000 cases of low-moisture-skim mozzarella shredded cheese, including products: Keep always, Borsen, Chando, Cache Valley Creamery, Chestnut Hill, Econo, Hill Conwery, Hellow Concherry, Publix, Schnucks, sprout Schnucks, Stater Ama Bros. Sunnyside Markets and Farms.
- 1,900 cases of Farmhouse delights with Aldi Italian-Styled Shedded Chellend Blend.
- Over 15,000 cases of Italian Shendded Cheredded Chendded style, and Products: Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Great Value, Knowledge and Love, Laura Lynn, Publix, just go and be happy and happy farms.
- 117 cases of Food Club is well organized Pizza-style with little cheese and little cheese.
- Over 4,000 cases of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and Products: Econo, dining club, golden cream, great value, Laura Lynn and just go.
- More than 4,000 cases of mozzarella and delone cheese, and Products: Free choice, good and gathering, cheese of big lakes and big price.
- More than 1,800 cases of It is also good to collect mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese Blend.
The products sold-in days from January until late March the following year, according to the FDA notice. The agency has a complete list online of affected products and their UPC codes.
Where were these products sold?
The smoked cigar products came in five different varieties and were sold under brand names at Therget, Walmart, Aldi and other major retailers throughout the US and Puerto Rico.
The FDA says they are distributed in 31 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Illinota, Missolina, Nebraska, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma, New York, Oklahoma Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin; and Puerto Rico.
What you have to do
The FDA has not issued specific orders for the recalled cheese products. When a product is recalled, the agency’s general guidance is to get the product to the point of purchase for recall or disposal.
If contaminated food product has come into contact with the refrigerator or freezer, the FDA recommends cleaning and disinfecting those areas. After cleaning those areas, you should also wash your hands with warm water and soap.
