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Matthew Robinson

By Matthew Robinson

News Editor

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A recall of cheese products sold by Aldi due potential contamination with metal fragments has been given the second-highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc., based in Ohio, issued a voluntary recall for Happy Farms Shredded Italian Blend Cheese and Happy Farms Mozzarella Shredded Cheese on October 3. The FDA said the issue was caused by potential metal fragments in raw materials delivered by suppliers.

The FDA later issued a Class II risk warning for the recall on December 1.

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Why It Matters

A Class II risk classification, one of three, refers to a situation in which the "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," according to the FDA.

Foreign material in food products presents health risks, including choking, damage to teeth and digestive tract injury. Small pieces of metal could obstruct airways, especially in vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

Stock image of cheese in Germany.

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What To Know

The Aldi products affected by the recall are the following:

The FDA reported that the products were distributed in 31 states, namely: 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. They were also distributed to Puerto Rico.

A variety of cheese products produced by Great Lakes Cheese that were sold by other retailers were also recalled due to potential metal contamination. A full list can be found on the FDA website.

As of December 1, no illnesses had been reported by the FDA in connection with the consumption of the recalled cheese.

What People Are Saying

Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc. told Newsweek in a statement: "In early October 2025 a supplier of Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella cheese notified us that they were recalling cheese they had supplied to us due to foreign material.

"Great Lakes Cheese immediately isolated the affected raw material in our facilities and 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.

"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.

"On December 1, FDA released its classification of the recall as Class II. While the status of the recall is marked as ongoing in the enforcement report, our records show all product has been fully removed from store shelves.

"This voluntary action was taken in alignment with Great Lakes Cheese’s unwavering commitment to food safety, product quality, and consumer health and safety. No other products manufactured or packaged by Great Lakes Cheese were affected."

The FDA says in a report on metal contamination: "Ingesting metal fragments can cause injury to the consumer. These injuries may include dental damage, laceration of the mouth or throat, or laceration or perforation of the intestine.

"Metal-to-metal contact (e.g., mechanical cutting or blending operations and can openers) and equipment with metal parts that can break loose (e.g., moving wire mesh belts, injection needles, screens and portion control equipment, and metal ties) are likely sources of metal that may enter food during processing."

What Happens Next

The recall is ongoing, according to the FDA.

Consumers who purchased the affected cheese should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund, the company said.

Update 12/4/25 3.10 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc.

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