The Recall Desk
ModerateFDA (Food)·F-1530-2023·Announced 2023-09-27

HEB Easy Melt Pasteurized Cheese Spread Recalled for Conflicting Refrigeration Labels

Great Lakes Cheese is recalling HEB Easy Melt Original Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread because refrigeration instructions vary across product labels. No illnesses have been reported.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: FDA Class III recall with no reported illnesses or injuries. The hazard is a labeling discrepancy regarding refrigeration requirements, which constitutes a documentation and minor labeling error rather than an actual food safety incident.

Plain-English summary

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. is recalling HEB Easy Melt Original Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread due to inconsistent refrigeration requirements on product labels. The recalled products include two sizes: 16 oz (UPC 0 41220-73808 3) and 32 oz (UPC 0 41220-00767 7), both manufactured for H-E-B and with use-by dates of 1/20/2024 or earlier.

The recall affects approximately 7,218,700 pounds of product distributed to 32 states. The issue stems from varying refrigeration instructions on finished product labels, which may cause consumers not to refrigerate the product properly. Pasteurized process cheese spread requires continuous refrigeration to maintain food safety.

Consumers who purchased affected products should verify the product is stored under refrigeration. If proper storage history cannot be confirmed, the product should be discarded. No illnesses or adverse events have been reported.

The recalled product

Product
Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread packaged under the following brands and sizes: 1. HEB Easy Melt Original, Net Wt 16 oz (1 lb) 453g. UPC 0 41220-73808 3. Refrigerate after Opening. Made with Pride and Care for H-E-B, San Antonio, Texas 78204 2. HEB Easy Melt Original, Net
Manufacturer
Great Lakes Cheese, Inc.
Category
Food — Dairy / Cheese Products
Hazard
  • mis-labeling

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

  • Use by Date and earlier: 1. 1/20/2024 2. 1/20/2024

Distribution

Distributed in 32 states:

  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • FL
  • GA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • LA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • NC
  • ND
  • NE
  • NM
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI

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