The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIIOur severity:ModerateFDA (Food)·F-1532-2023·Announced 2023-09-27

Refrigerated Cheese Products Recalled for Unclear Refrigeration Label Requirements

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. is recalling refrigerated cheese products because product labels have varying refrigeration requirements that could lead to improper storage. Approximately 7.2 million lbs of products sold under Clancy's and Hill Country Fare brands are affected.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class III

Class III is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 2/5 (Moderate).

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: This is a Class III FDA recall involving a minor labeling error where product labels have varying refrigeration requirements. No illnesses or injuries have been reported. The hazard is theoretical—improper storage due to label confusion—and does not meet the threshold for higher severity classifications.

Plain-English summary

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. is recalling refrigerated pasteurized prepared cheese products sold under two brands: Clancy's CheeseMelt (sold by Aldi) and Hill Country Fare Melt'n Cheese (sold by H-E-B). The recall affects approximately 7,218,700 lbs of product.

The reason for the recall is that product labels contain varying refrigeration requirements. Due to this inconsistency, consumers may not understand that the product requires refrigeration, which could result in improper storage and compromise food safety.

The recalled products have use-by dates of 1/20/2024 or 2/13/2024. They were distributed to retailers across the following 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, and WI.

Consumers who have purchased either product should verify the use-by date and ensure the product is properly refrigerated. Contact Aldi, H-E-B, or Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. with questions about this recall.

The recalled product

Product
Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, Queso Blanco, Half the Fat of Cheddar Cheese packaged under the following brands and sizes: 1. Clancy's CheeseMelt, Net Wt 32 oz (2 lbs) 907g. Refrigerate after Opening. Dist, & Sold exclusively by: Aldi, Batavia, IL 60510 2. Hill…
Manufacturer
Great Lakes Cheese, Inc.
Category
Food — Dairy / Cheese Product
Hazard

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. 2/13/2024 2. 1/20/2024

Distribution

Distributed in 32 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 11 recalled by Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 11 products in this recall →

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