CHECK YOUR FRIDGE: Walmart Cottage Cheese Recalled in Iowa and Illinois Over Major Health Risk

If you have a tub of cottage cheese sitting in your refrigerator right now, you might want to stop what you’re doing and check the label. A massive voluntary recall has been issued for certain Great Value cottage cheese products sold at Walmart, specifically impacting shoppers across Iowa, Illinois, and 22 other states.

What Went Wrong?

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. (SUSA) announced the recall after discovering a serious glitch in their safety process. During a routine "pasteurizer troubleshooting exercise" conducted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company realized that some liquid dairy ingredients might not have been fully pasteurized.

Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to kill off harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. Without it, the dairy can carry "a significant health risk, especially to the young and elderly or immunocompromised individuals," according to the FDA.

The Quotes You Need to Hear

While the company is moving quickly to get these products off the shelves, they are urging people to take the situation seriously.

Saputo USA stated:

"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."

The FDA is also being very clear about what you should do if you find a recalled tub in your kitchen:

"Customers who purchased the affected products should not consume them and either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund."

How to Tell if Your Cottage Cheese is Safe

The recall specifically targets Great Value brand tubs (Fat Free, Lowfat, and Small Curd) sold between February 17 and February 20, 2026. All the affected products come in white plastic tubs with white lids. To see if yours is part of the batch, look for these "Best By" dates on the side of the lid:

• Great Value Fat Free Small Curd (24 oz): APR-01-26 or APR-03-26
• Great Value Lowfat Small Curd (24 oz): APR-01-26, APR-02-26, or APR-03-26
• Great Value Small Curd 4% (16 oz, 24 oz, or 3 lb): APR-01-26, APR-02-26, or APR-03-26

If you have questions, you can call Saputo directly at 1-888-587-2423 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT). Don't take a chance on your breakfast—double-check those dates today.