Attention, shoppers! If you’ve recently picked up shredded cheese from Aldi, you might need to take a closer look at your purchase.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant recall affecting more than 4,000 bags of Aldi’s Happy Farms Colby Jack shredded cheese. This recall spans four states and stems from a concerning issue—potential metal contamination.
What Triggered the Recall?
This recall was initiated by the manufacturer, Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc., on February 15, 2025, after discovering stainless steel fragments within the cheese bags.
By March 19, the FDA had classified this as a Class II recall, indicating that while the contamination could cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, the risk of serious harm is minimal. Yet, the presence of any foreign material in food products is enough to raise alarms.
Affected Product Details
If you live in Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, or Pennsylvania and shop at Aldi, here’s what you should look for:
- Product Name: Happy Farms Colby Jack Shredded Cheese
- Batch Number: 8679653
- Item Number: 170374
- UPC: 4061463330840
- Best By Dates: JUL 13 25 H or JUL 14 25 H
This product is sold in a generic blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, packaged under Aldi’s Happy Farms brand. It’s crucial to check your packages, as these specific details can help you identify whether your cheese is part of the recall.
Recommended Consumer Actions
Aldi has likely removed the impacted cheese from store shelves, but it’s possible some households still have this product in their refrigerators. Here’s what you should do if you find you’ve purchased the recalled cheese:
- Do Not Consume: For your safety, avoid eating the cheese.
- Dispose or Return: You can throw away the cheese or bring it back to any Aldi store for a full refund or replacement.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution, especially when it involves potential ingestion of metal fragments.
Another Recall from Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only recent recall involving Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc. Earlier this year, on January 16, the company also recalled Our Family American Cheese Slices made with 2% Milk due to a flavor discrepancy. Although not a direct food safety issue, it underscores the importance of monitoring the products you consume.
If you have the affected American cheese slices, which are marked with UPC 0-70253-50023 and an expiration date of November 22, 2025, you should also return them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.
Stay Informed and Safe
Recalls can happen to any product and while they often do not result in severe health issues, they remind us of the importance of staying informed about the products we consume. For updates on this recall and others, keep an eye on FDA announcements and consider subscribing to food safety alerts from your local grocery stores.
Remember, your health is paramount. Always take prompt action when you hear of recalls for products you use.
