Urgent cottage cheese recall over alarming health risks

Selected batches of cottage cheese in the US have been urgently recalled due to significant health risks.

American shoppers are being advised to check their products following a worrying warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which was shared on 24 February, revealing that the recall is in effect across 24 states.

The FDA's announcement was shared on behalf of Saputo Cheese USA Inc., a Canadian dairy company based in Montreal, Quebec.

Select cottage cheese products from the brand are being recalled due to the possibility of 'liquid dairy ingredients used in the items not being fully pasteurized according to state regulatory standards'.

For those who are unfamiliar, pasteurization is the process of heating and rapidly cooling a food product to prevent the spread of disease and to prolong its shelf-life by preventing spoilage.

It prevents food poisoning by destroying dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.

Selected tubs of cottage cheese have been urgently recalled in the US (FDA)

While no illnesses or hospitalizations associated with the recalled products have been reported as of today (3 March), consuming products that are not fully pasteurized can pose a significant health risk, especially to children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people.

The affected products were sold under the 'Great Value' label and were distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers around the US.

Specifically, the cottage cheese products that have been voluntarily recalled are: Great Value Fat Free, Lowfat, and Small Curd cottage cheese, with best before dates listed between 1 and 3 April 2026.

They have a white lid, and the Best Before date will be on the side of the tub.

You should return the product to the point of sale, or discard it (FDA)

The products, UPC codes, and expiration dates:

• 24 oz. Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 0 percent Milkfat. UPC: 078742373393. Best before dates 1 and 3 April.
• 24 oz. Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 2 percent Milkfat. UPC: 078742116730. Best before dates 1, 2, and 3 April
• 16 oz. Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% milkfat minimum. UPC: 078742372358. Best before date 2 April.
• 24 oz. Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% milkfat minimum. UPC: 078742372365. Best before dates 2 and 3 April.
• 3 lb. container Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% milkfat minimum: UPC: 078742147970. Best before dates 1 and 2 April.

As we say, the products were distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers in 24 states. These are: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

There are concerns that selected batches of the cottage cheese haven't been pasteurised properly (FDA)

Customers who bought the affected cottage cheese tubs should not consume them, and instead either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The pasturising issue was discovered during recent troubleshooting exercises conducted by SUSA in conjunction with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Since then, the impacted machine has been returned to normal function and verified and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, so no other products produced in the facility have been affected.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Saputo at 1-888-587-2423, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm CT.

As per the FDA, symptoms of foodborne illness that come from eating 'raw' foods like unpasteurised milk usually include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches

While most people will promptly recover from a bout of food poisoning, others can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening.

If you or someone you know becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk - or if you are pregnant and think you may have consumed contaminated raw milk - it's important to see a healthcare professional immediately.