Recent Recall News on Shredded Cheese - Lack of Investigation by Reporters Creates Confusion

Plastered today over the news is a recall of shredded cheese due to metal.   However, the recall occurred two months ago according to the Enforcement Notice.  On top of that, the recall was not publicly issued because, in most likelihood, the item did not get distributed or it was not viewed as a significant enough of an issue.   

However, looking at the news, you would think that this is a major issue happening right now.  It is highly unlikely that any of this product is available at store level.  (If it is, then FDA should have issued a public notice back in October.)

The problem is that reporters are going into the FDA Enforcement reports and writing up a news story without doing any investigation.   Certainly the reason the report is written now, two months after the action was taken is that FDA took a long time to classify and publish this information. 

Another issue is that one report leads to the cascade effect with other news outlets just reissuing the same report.

In the end, reporting like this creates confusion for the consumer.

USA TODAY
Shredded cheeses sold at Walmart, Target recalled. See affected items.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Dec. 3, 2025Updated Dec. 4, 2025, 9:40 a.m. ET
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/12/03/shredded-cheese-recall-walmart-target-aldi/87584984007/

FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware With Risk of Leaching Lead During Use

The FDA issued a warning on the use of certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead (Pb) into food. "Some types of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and have demonstrated the potential to leach lead under conditions designed to mimic their use in contact with food."


https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-imported-cookware-may-leach-lead-august-2025
FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead: August 2025
Retailers should not sell and consumers should not use certain cookware because of their potential to leach lead into food when cooking.

What’s New
December 3, 2025
Two additional cookware products that may leach lead into food when used for cooking or food storage have been added to the table below.

The complete list of products can be found in the table below. Other cookware products may also be affected. FDA will continue to update this table with additional products as new information becomes available.

FDA Provides Update on Infant Botulism Outbreak (12/3/25)

FDA provided an update on the multistate outbreak of infant botulism. 

• "Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula might be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which is causing infant illness in multiple regions of the country".  
• "As of December 3, 2025, a total of 39 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism and confirmed exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula (various lots) have been reported from 18 states. "
• "Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 9 to November 19, 2025. All 39 infants were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date."
• "FDA continues to receive reports that recalled formula is still being found on store shelves at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Acme, and Shaw’s, despite the ongoing recall of all ByHeart infant formula products. FDA continues to work with state partners and retailers to ensure an effective recall and immediate removal of these products from store shelves across the country"
• Sampling - 6 samples of product have been found to be positive for Clostridium botulinum Type A.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 39 (2 New)
Hospitalizations: 39 (2 New)
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: November 19, 2025
States with Cases: AZ, CA, ID, IL, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, OR, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA, WI
Product Distribution: Online and nationwide (including Guam and Puerto Rico), and internationally


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (November 2025)
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Product:
All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have been recalled. This includes all lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks.

ByHeart infant formula products makes up approximately 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States and this outbreak does not create shortage concerns of infant formula for parents and caregivers.

Company Issues Recall for Cracker Product that It Had Recalled in July

Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall of 70 cases of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches and sold in the following U.S. states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama.  The affected cartons include individually wrapped packs that may be incorrectly labeled as Cheese variety even though the product may be a Peanut Butter variety.

This recall is limited to 1 SKU and 2 Code Dates previously recalled in July. This action is not an expansion of that prior recall and is being conducted out of an abundance of caution.  The recall was initiated after Mondelēz Global LLC discovered that 70 cases were inadvertently shipped to a limited number of retailers in eight states. Corrective actions are being taken.

In summary, this was a small amount of product, 70 cases, that was part of the July recall.  So did this product, that should have been quarantined, accidently get shipped?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mondelez-global-llc-conducts-limited-voluntary-recall-1-sku-ritz-peanut-butter-cracker-sandwiches
Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts Limited Voluntary Recall of 1 SKU of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 28, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 02, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Undeclared Peanut
Company Name:  Mondelez Global LLC
Brand Name:  Ritz
Product Description:  Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches

Consumers Are Creatively Utilizing Food Waste to Reduce Food Costs

An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on how people are maximizing the utilization of leftovers and food scraps.

One example was the bone bag -  a bag for collecting "vegetable scraps and leftover meat bones in plastic bags and freezing to then utilize the contents by cooking in an Instant Pot with water and apple-cider vinegar and then adding rice and quinoa for a soup base.
Or leftover pizza , chopping it up, crisping and then mixing into scrambled eggs.

A quoted survey looked at "consumers’ leftover habits for 15 years, said 49% of respondents in October reported eating more leftovers than six months ago, a record since the survey began."

This is worth applauding as there is a push to reduce food waste.  But for consumers, this is more for reducing their food bill.

From a safety perspective, freezing leftovers prior to spoilage is key.


Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/americans-are-testing-the-limits-of-leftovers-06dd49ff
Thrifty Americans Are Testing the Limits of Leftovers
Rising food prices prompt kitchen alchemy: ‘fridge foraging’ and collecting bones. ‘I never really dreaded the end of the week until I started eating leftovers.’
By Jesse Newman and Dean Seal
Nov. 28, 2025 5:30 am ET

Enforcement Delayed on Sampling and Testing of Salmonella in Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products

USDA is delaying verification sampling and testing associated with the 2024 rule for the control of Salmonella in raw, breaded and stuffed chicken products.  From an article in Food Safety Magazine, "FSIS is again delaying verification activities without setting a new implementation date. According to the agency, this delay is due to limitations in available test methods, including concerns about accuracy and unacceptably high false positives, and FSIS will continue to evaluate the validity of available testing methods."


Food Safety Magazine
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10909-usda-indefinitely-delays-enforcement-of-salmonella-as-adulterant-in-raw-breaded-stuffed-chicken
USDA Indefinitely Delays Enforcement of Salmonella as Adulterant in Raw Breaded, Stuffed Chicken
By Bailee Henderson

Illinois Firm Recalls Confectionary Product for Undeclared Pecans Due to Mis-packaging

Silvestri Sweets Inc. of Geneva, IL is voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce bags of Choceur branded Holiday Barks because they may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark had been packaged in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark packages resulting in undeclared pecan, and that the Cookie Butter Holiday Bark has been packaged in Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark packages resulting in undeclared wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem may have been caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

The recalled items were distributed nationwide through Aldi grocery stores.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/silvestri-sweets-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-pecan-and-wheat-cookie-butter-holiday
Silvestri Sweets Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecan and Wheat in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark and Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 26, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared pecans and wheat
Company Name:  Silvestri Sweet, Inc.
Brand Name:  Choceur
Product Description:  Bark candy with nuts and fruit

Oregon Firm Recalls BBQ Sauce Due to Undeclared (Fish) Anchovy

Anthony's BBQ Sauce of Brookings, Oregon is recalling Anthony's Barbecue & Dip-It Sauce 15oz. glass bottles because it may contain undeclared Anchovy (fish).  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during the inspection that the product containing Anchovy (fish) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Anchovy.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/anthonys-bbq-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovy-anthonys-barbecue-dip-it-sauce
Anthony’s BBQ Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared (Fish) Anchovy in Anthony’s Barbecue & Dip-It Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 22, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared Anchovy (fish).
Company Name:  Anthony’s BBQ Sauce
Brand Name:  Anthony’s
Product Description:  Barbecue Sauce

FDA and CDC Issue Update on Infant Botulism Cases Linked to Infant Formula (11/26/25)

FDA and CDC released an update on the ongoing botulism outbreak in infants.  "As of November 26, 2025, a total of 37 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism and confirmed exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula (various lots) have been reported from 17 states.  All 37 infants were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date. For 35 infants with age and sex information available, they range in age from 16 to 264 days and 15 (43%) are female."

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 37 (6 New)
Hospitalizations: 37 (6 New)
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: November 19, 2025
States with Cases: AZ, CA, ID, IL, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, OR, PA, RI, TX, WA, WI
Product Distribution: Online and nationwide (including Guam and Puerto Rico), and internationally

"FDA’s investigation, including onsite inspections, is ongoing to determine the point of contamination. FDA is releasing the FDA Establishment Inspection Reports (EIRs) and FDA Form 483s, Inspectional Observations from completed inspections previously conducted between 2022 and March 2025 at ByHeart facilities. ByHeart, Inc. is the parent company of three Blendhouse manufacturing facilities in Allerton, Iowa; Portland, Oregon; and Reading, Pennsylvania."

1. Blendhouse Allerton: the facility was last inspected in February 2025 and classified Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI), which cited GMP deficiencies - https://www.fda.gov/media/189825/download
2. Blendhouse Portland: the facility was last inspected in March 2025 and classified No Action Indicated (NAI) - https://www.fda.gov/media/189824/download
3. Blendhouse Reading: the facility was last inspected in January 2024 and classified Official Action Indicated (OAI). This facility has not been in operation since September 2023. - https://www.fda.gov/media/189831/download

In Food Safety Magazine (Nov 25, 2025) points out an important items - that the California Department of Health has noticed a broader spike of infant botulism cases.

"A spike in infant botulism cases was first noticed by CDPH’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), which operates the only global source of infant botulism treatment worldwide. According to CDPH, this spike has grown from the originally reported 84 cases to now include 107 cases of infant botulism, occurring between August 1, 2025 and November 19, 2025. Not all infants treated for infant botulism during this spike have confirmed exposure to ByHeart infant formula.  Typically, less than 200 cases of infant botulism are reported in the U.S. each year."

It also stated that some of the cases that have been linked to the suspect product came earlier, between November 2024 and June, 2025).  Linking all of these cases may be difficult.  "It will be more difficult to definitively link cases that happened before August 1 to the current outbreak, due to the amount of time that has passed and it being unlikely that parents would have recorded product lot numbers or kept empty cans of formula."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (November 2025)
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
Product:
All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have been recalled. This includes all unexpired lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks.