Cottage Cheese Recalled in 24 States
A major cottage cheese recall is underway across 24 U.S. states due to potential contamination. The FDA's action is part of a broader wave of food safety recalls in recent weeks, with consumers urged to check their refrigerators and consult the official recall list.
The recalled cottage cheese, sold under Walmart's Great Value brand, was manufactured by Saputo Cheese USA Inc.. The issue was discovered during a "pasteurizer troubleshooting exercise" conducted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which revealed that liquid dairy ingredients may not have been fully pasteurized. Pasteurization is a critical process that heats milk to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Consuming unpasteurized or improperly pasteurized dairy products can lead to serious foodborne illnesses, with symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to life-threatening conditions. While no illnesses have been reported from the cottage cheese, the risk is especially high for children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. This recall is part of a larger pattern of food safety issues. In 2025, food and drink recalls in the U.S. reached a nine-year high, with the FDA recording 571 recalls, a 15% increase from 2024. These recalls involved over 138 million units of food, a 209% increase from the previous year, with bacterial contamination being a primary driver. Just this month, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has overseen several Class I recalls, the most serious classification, for potential contaminations. This includes the recall of over 22,000 pounds of raw ground beef from CS Beef Packers due to possible E. coli O145 contamination. Another significant recent recall involves Ajinomoto Foods North America, which expanded a recall to nearly 37 million pounds of frozen fried rice, ramen, and dumpling products in early March 2026. The products, sold under brands like Trader Joe's, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei, were recalled due to potential contamination with glass fragments originating from carrots used in the recipes. Other recalls in February 2026 have included cream cheese spreads recalled by Made Fresh Salads for potential Listeria contamination and moringa capsules from Ambrosia Brands linked to a multi-national Salmonella outbreak. Undeclared allergens also remain a common reason for recalls, accounting for 39% of all recall announcements in 2025.
