Walmart Cottage Cheese Recalled in 24 States Over Pasteurization Concern

Cottage cheese sold at Walmart stores in 24 states under the Great Value label has been recalled.

Published: 2/25/2026, 9:39:01 PM EST

Walmart Cottage Cheese Recalled in 24 States Over Pasteurization Concern — Recalled Great Value cottage cheese. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration photo)

Cottage cheese sold at Walmart stores in 24 states under the Great Value label has been recalled, according to a recall notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The company that makes the cheese, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., announced the recall on Feb. 24, stating that the products were produced under conditions in which ingredients were not fully pasteurized in accordance with state regulatory standards.

Pasteurization uses heat to kill harmful bacteria and extends the shelf life of products.

“While no illnesses or hospitalizations associated with the recalled products have been reported to date, consuming products that are not fully pasteurized can pose a significant health risk, especially to the young and elderly or immunocompromised individuals,” the FDA said.

The problem was discovered during pasteurizer troubleshooting by Saputo and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, according to the recall notice.

The affected pasteurizer has since been repaired and inspected by state regulators, who verified and sealed it.

The recall affects Great Value cottage cheese sold in plastic tubs with lids. The items subject to the recall can be identified by the “Best If Used By” dates printed on the side of the lids.

The recalled cottage cheese products were distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers 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 between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20.

The recalled products are:

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24-ounce container, UPC 078742373393, with “Best If Used By” dates of April 1 and April 3, 2026.
Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24-ounce container, UPC 078742116730, with “Best If Used By” dates of April 1, April 2, and April 3, 2026.
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4 percent milkfat minimum, 16-ounce container, UPC 078742372358, with a “Best If Used By” date of April 2, 2026.
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4 percent milkfat minimum, 24-ounce container, UPC 078742372365, with “Best If Used By” dates of April 2 and April 3, 2026.
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4 percent milkfat minimum, 3-pound container, UPC 078742147970, with “Best If Used By” dates of April 1 and April 2, 2026.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products should not eat them and should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, the recall notice said.

Saputo USA, the trading name of Saputo Cheese USA Inc., is part of Saputo Inc., one of the world’s 10 largest dairy processors, according to the FDA recall notice.

The company’s U.S. dairy division makes and distributes a variety of cheeses and cultured dairy products under both company-owned and private-label brands, including the recalled Great Value cottage cheese.