Cottage Cheese Recall at Walmart 2026 : Full List of Great Value Products

today.com · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Saputo Cheese USA has recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese in Walmarts across 24 states after detecting a possible health risk, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said in an alert on its website. The agency shared an announcement posted by Saputo Cheese on Feb. 24 regarding the recall, confirming that it was due to a possible lack of pasteurization.Saputo Cheese said it was voluntarily removing the products from shelves and that no illness or hospitalizations from the items have been reported. Here's what to know.Saputo Cheese announced that it has recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese, sold at Walmart, because recent troubleshooting exercises conducted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture found that there could have been an issue during the pasteurization process.The exercises revealed that possible liquid dairy ingredients in the cheese had not been “fully pasteurized according to state regulatory standards,” the company shared.Pasteurization is the process of heating a product to destroy pathogens and bacteria, according to the National Library of Medicine.Which Cottage Cheese Was Recalled? Saputo Cheese USA said three different cottage cheese products were impacted:Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese — 0% Milkfat in a 24 oz. container with a “Best If Used By” date of April 1 or April 3Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese — 2% Milkfat in a 24 oz. container with a “Best If Used By” of April 1, April 2 or April 3Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese — 4% milkfat minimum in 16 oz., 24 oz. and 3 lb. container with a “Best If Used By” date of April 1 (for 3 lb.), April 2 (for 16 oz., 24 oz. and 3 lb.) and April 3 (for 24 oz.) Pictures of all affected products are available in the recall announcement.A product photo of one of the recalled cottage cheese products.Where Was the Cottage Cheese Containers Sold? These cheese products were distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers around the country between Feb. 17-20, according to the announcement. The following states received the possibly unpasteurized cheese:AlaskaAlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisKansasKentuckyLouisianaMissouriMississippiMontanaNew MexicoNevadaOregonTexasTennesseeUtahWashingtonWyoming“The impacted pasteurizer was returned to normal function and was verified and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture,” Saputo Cheese USA said in the recall notice. “No other products produced in the facility were affected.”In a statement to TODAY.com, the company added: "We remain fully committed to maintaining the highest industry standards of food quality and safety, and we encourage consumers to refer to the recall notice for full details."What to Do If You Purchased Recalled Cottage CheeseThose who purchased any recalled items should not consume them. They can throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers can also contact Saputo at 1-888-587-2423 for more information.Health Risks From Unpasteurized DairyThe pasteurization process is crucial for food safety, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Without pasteurization, dairy products are more likely to contain potentially harmful bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella.Certain groups are at higher risk for more severe illness due to these germs, including kids under 5, adults over 65, pregnant individuals and anyone with a weakened immune system.Symptoms of foodborne illness from unpasteurized dairy can range from diarrhea, cramping and vomiting to kidney failure and paralysis. In some cases, the infection can turn deadly.If you're have symptoms of foodborne illness after eating the recalled cottage cheese or any unpasteurized dairy, contact a health care provider.