Check your fridge: Cottage cheese sold at Walmart recalled

Cottage cheese sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand is currently under a recall in 24 states, as officials said the cheese may not have been properly pasteurized.

According to a recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the issue was discovered by the cheese’s manufacturer, Saputo Cheese USA, during “pasteurizer troubleshooting exercises.”

Officials said that during the exercises, they found that “there’s the possibility liquid dairy ingredients used in the items not being fully pasteurized according to state regulatory standards.”

The FDA says the cottage cheese was sold in 24 states under Walmart’s Great Value label between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20.

“The impacted pasteurizer was returned to normal function and was verified and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture,” officials said. Customers who purchased the impacted products should not consume them and return them to Walmart for a full refund.

Here is what to know.

What Walmart cottage cheese is being recalled?

According to the recall notice, the following types of Walmart cottage cheese are being recalled:

• Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 0% Milkfat
  • 24-ounce container
• Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 2% Milkfat
  • 24-ounce container
• Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4% milkfat minimum
  • 16-ounce container, 24-ounce container and 3-pound container

Where was the recalled cottage cheese sold?

According to the FDA, the cheese was sold in Walmart stores in 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.

What happens if I eat unpasteurized cheese?

According to the Mayo Clinic, pasteurization means "treated to kill germs." Therefore, cheese that is not properly pasteurized may contain germs that could be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, older adults, pregnant women, infants and young children.

The FDA said that no illnesses or hospitalizations have been reported in connection with the recall, as of Feb. 25.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.