Cottage cheese recalled from Walmart stores in 24 states may be health danger

David J. Neal, Miami Herald on Feb 25, 2026

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Three varieties of cottage cheese sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand got yanked from stores in 24 states on potential pasteurization problems.

Manufacturer Saputo Cheese USA said while doing “pasteurizer troubleshooting exercises” with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company and agency found “there’s the possibility liquid dairy ingredients used in the items (were) not being fully pasteurized according to state regulatory standards.”

What’s the problem with that? Eating cheese that hasn’t been pasteurized “might not be safe,” the Mayo Clinic says. “’Pasteurized’ means treated to kill germs. This is especially true for people with weakened immune systems, older adults, people who are pregnant, infants and young children.”

Here’s what’s recalled, which should be returned to the store for a refund or at least thrown into the garbage deep enough to prevent nosy pets from getting to it:

Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4% milkfat minimum, 16-ounce containers, best by April 2, 2026; 24-ounce containers, best by April 2, 2026, or April 3, 2026; 3-pound containers, best by April 1, 2026, or April 2, 2026.

Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 2% milkfat, 24-ounce containers, best by April 1, 2026, April 2, 2026, and April 3, 2026.

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24-ounce containers, best by April 1, 2026, or April 3, 2026.

Walmart’s website says these went to stores in California, Washington, Missouri, Texas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Illinois, Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming.

Questions about this recall should be directed to Saputo at 888-585-2423, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time.

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