Saputo Cheese USA Inc. has voluntarily recalled certain Great Value cottage cheese products sold at Walmart stores across 24 states after discovering that liquid dairy ingredients may not have been fully pasteurized, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday (February 24).

According to the FDA recall alert, the issue was uncovered during a pasteurizer troubleshooting exercise conducted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The exercise revealed that liquid dairy ingredients in the affected products may not have met state regulatory pasteurization standards.

Three Great Value cottage cheese products are affected by the recall. The cheese was distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers between Tuesday (February 17) and Friday (February 20) in the following states: 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.

Saputo said the affected pasteurizer has since been returned to normal function and was verified and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. No other products from the facility were impacted.

As of the recall announcement, no illnesses or hospitalizations linked to the products have been reported. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, consuming unpasteurized dairy can pose serious health risks. Products that skip full pasteurization may contain dangerous bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

Certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness, including children under five, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of foodborne illness from unpasteurized dairy can range from diarrhea, cramping, and vomiting to kidney failure and paralysis — and in some cases, the infection can be fatal.

Saputo issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to food safety: "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."

Customers who purchased any of the recalled products are advised not to consume them. They should either throw the items away or return them to their nearest Walmart for a full refund. Consumers with questions can also contact Saputo directly at 1-888-587-2423.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of foodborne illness after consuming the recalled cottage cheese or any unpasteurized dairy product should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Bret Saunders