Two of the nation’s latest food recalls concern cheese — and lots of it. The recalls are separate: one involves hundreds of thousands of containers of shredded mozzarella and multi-cheese blends that may contain metal fragments; the other affects several brands of grated Pecorino Romano over possible Listeria contamination. Both target products with sell-by or expiration dates in 2026 and were sold at major retailers in multiple states.
Shredded cheese recall
Great Lakes Cheese, an Ohio-based packager, initiated an early-October recall of six types of shredded cheese — from low-moisture part-skim mozzarella to various Italian-style and pizza-style blends — because the products may contain fragments of metal. The FDA has classified this recall as Class II, meaning consumption could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
The recalled shredded cheeses were distributed to 31 states and Puerto Rico: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Affected products have varying sell-by dates in February and March 2026 and were sold under many brand names, including Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Chestnut Hill, Coburn Farms, Econo, Food Club, Food Lion, Gold Rush Creamery, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese, Happy Farms by Aldi, H-E-B, Hill Country Fare, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Lucerne Dairy Farms, Nu Farm, Publix, Schnuck’s, Simply Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Stater Bros. Markets and Sunnyside Farms. Italian-style and pizza-style blends and some mozzarella/provolone and mozzarella/Parmesan blends under several of those and other store brands are also included. The FDA posts a full product list on its site.
Pecorino Romano recall
The Ambriola Company, a New Jersey-based distributor, announced a recall after routine testing confirmed Listeria at the facility. While no illnesses have been reported, Ambriola recalled products processed there between Nov. 3 and 20 “out of an abundance of caution.” Recalled Pecorino Romano is sold in plastic containers and pound-size bags under brand names Ambriola, Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head and Member’s Mark, with expiration dates from February to May 2026.
Distribution appears to include Walmart locations in 14 states and Sam’s Club locations in 27 states. Wegmans also issued a recall of Locatelli grated Pecorino Romano sold in stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C., between Nov. 14 and 24.
What to do
The FDA urges customers to toss recalled cheese or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Anyone who ate the Pecorino and develops symptoms of Listeria infection — which typically begin within two weeks and can include fever, headache, stiff neck and muscle aches — should contact a doctor. Ambriola says it has suspended production and distribution of affected products and is reviewing sanitation and food-safety procedures while working with the FDA.
