The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to ensure that their shredded cheese products are not contaminated with metal fragments.
According to an FDA enforcement report Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co. which touts itself as an award-winning premier manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded and sliced cheeses initiated a recall on October 3.
On December 1 the FDA classified the recall as Class II which describes 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.
There are three classes of recall. A Class II designation is the second-most serious. The most serious Class I concerns situations when there is a reasonable probability that the use or exposure to a problematic product will cause adverse health consequences or death.
While Great Lake Cheese Co. made the potentially contaminated shredded cheeses they were sold by various brands. These include Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, Econo, Food Club, Happy Farms, Laura Lynn, Publix, Simply Go, Stater Bros. Markets and Sunnyside Farms.
The bulk of the recalled cheeses were low-moisture part-skim shredded mozzarella totaling 235,789 cases. A number of Italian-style and pizza-style shredded cheese blends such as Simply Go Italian Style Six Cheese Blend have also been recalled.
The cheeses are customarily sold at big stores such as Aldi, Target and Walmart.
The recalled cheese was distributed to Puerto Rico and the following states. 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 and Wisconsin.
Great Lakes Cheese Co. said in a statement obtained by Blaze News that they took action to remove packaged goods containing this item.
“We instructed retailers to remove the products from store shelves after the announcement in October. When we were confident all recalled products had been removed from store shelves, we distributed new product that did not have the potential to contain foreign material and was safe.”
The company continued explaining the current situation.
“As such, all recalled products have been removed from markets and replaced with new products. Further, the products currently on retail shelves are safe to consume and not associated with the October recall.”
The FDA notes on its website that consumers who suspect that they have a recalled food in their possession can generally return the items to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. The agency urges consumers not to give the potentially contaminated product to others such as a food bank or a pet.
“Wrap it securely before putting it in the trash.”
The scope of the recall covering 31 states plus Puerto Rico demonstrates how widely these cheese products were distributed. Millions of Americans likely purchased the affected items.
The 235,789 cases of shredded mozzarella alone represents an enormous quantity of potentially contaminated food. Each case contains multiple packages sold to consumers.
Metal fragments in food pose serious risks including choking hazards and internal injuries if swallowed. Even small pieces of metal can cause damage to the mouth, throat or digestive system.
The Class II designation indicates the FDA believes serious injury is unlikely but possible. This classification still warrants consumer attention and action.
The recall being initiated in early October but only classified by FDA in December raises questions about the timeline. Consumers may have purchased and consumed the cheese during that two-month gap.
The variety of brand names under which the cheese was sold complicates consumer awareness. Someone who bought Happy Farms cheese might not realize it came from the same manufacturer as Publix brand.
Major retailers like Walmart, Target and Aldi selling the products means the contaminated cheese reached mainstream consumers nationwide. These are not specialty stores but everyday shopping destinations.
Great Lakes Cheese Company’s statement that current products on shelves are safe provides some reassurance. However consumers who purchased cheese in October or November should check their refrigerators.
The FDA’s warning not to donate recalled products to food banks prevents well-meaning people from inadvertently passing contaminated food to vulnerable populations. The metal fragments pose the same risk regardless of who consumes the cheese.
