Saputo USA Recalls Great Value Cottage Cheese Over Pasteurization Failure Risk

⚠️ URGENT RECALL ALERT: Do NOT consume Great Value Cottage Cheese purchased at Walmart between Feb. 17–20, 2026. Check your fridge immediately.

Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling select Great Value brand cottage cheese products sold exclusively at Walmart stores due to concerns that liquid dairy ingredients used in production may not have been fully pasteurized in compliance with state regulatory standards. 

The recall was announced on February 24–25, 2026, and covers three product varieties distributed between February 17 and February 20, 2026, to Walmart stores and distribution centers across 24 U.S. states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the official recall notice on its website. As of this writing, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products.

Quick Facts

Which Products Are Recalled?

Three Great Value cottage cheese varieties are covered. Check the UPC code, Best If Used By date, and Plant Code (PLT#) on the side of the container lid to confirm whether your product is affected.

Product 1 — Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese (0% Milkfat, 24 oz)

• UPC: 078742373393
• Best If Used By: April 1, 2026 OR April 3, 2026

Product 2 — Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese (2% Milkfat, 24 oz)

• UPC: 078742116730
• Best If Used By: April 1, 2026 OR April 2, 2026 OR April 3, 2026

Product 3 — Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese (4% Milkfat Min)

• 16 oz. | UPC: 078742372358 | Best If Used By: April 2, 2026
• 24 oz. | UPC: 078742372365 | Best If Used By: April 2, 2026 OR April 3, 2026
• 3 lb. | UPC: 078742147970 | Best If Used By: April 1, 2026 OR April 2, 2026

💡 Important: A product is only recalled if it matches the correct UPC, Best If Used By date, AND Plant Code (PLT#) on the lid. When in doubt, do not consume it.

Which 24 States Are Affected?

The recalled cottage cheese was distributed to Walmart stores in the following states:

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.

How Was the Recall Discovered?

The issue was not flagged by consumer illness reports — it was identified proactively. Saputo Cheese USA discovered the potential problem during routine pasteurizer troubleshooting conducted in coordination with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Investigators found that one pasteurizer unit may not have been operating at full capacity during the February 17–20, 2026 production window — meaning some liquid dairy ingredients used in production may not have reached the required temperature and duration for full pasteurization under California state standards.

The affected pasteurizer has since been repaired, restored to full function, and officially inspected and sealed by the CDFA. Saputo confirmed no other products from the same facility were impacted.

What Are the Health Risks?

Pasteurization destroys dangerous pathogens that occur naturally in raw dairy. Without full pasteurization, fresh dairy products like cottage cheese — which are consumed without any additional cooking — can harbor life-threatening bacteria, including:

• Listeria monocytogenes — causes listeriosis, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The fatality rate for listeriosis is among the highest of any foodborne illness.
• Salmonella — causes severe gastrointestinal illness, including fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
• E. coli (including O157:H7) — can cause hemorrhagic colitis and, in severe cases, life-threatening kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome).
• Campylobacter — a leading cause of bacterial diarrheal illness in the U.S.

Symptoms of foodborne illness from contaminated dairy typically appear within 6 hours to 10 days of consumption and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Pregnant women, seniors, young children, and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of serious complications.

What Should You Do Right Now?

1. Check your refrigerator immediately. Locate any Great Value cottage cheese and compare the UPC code and Best If Used By date against the list above.
2. Do NOT consume the product — even if it looks and smells normal. Pathogens from under-pasteurized dairy are not detectable by sight, smell, or taste.
3. Discard the product in a sealed bag, or return it to any Walmart location for a full refund. No receipt is required.
4. Call Saputo’s consumer hotline at 1-888-587-2423 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT) with any questions about the recall.
5. Seek medical attention immediately if you have already consumed the product and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or severe abdominal cramps — especially if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised.
6. Report any illness to the FDA’s MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at fda.gov/safety/medwatch.

Regulatory & Legal Context

The recall is classified as a voluntary recall initiated by Saputo Cheese USA, overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The underlying compliance failure relates to California pasteurization standards enforced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

While no lawsuits or class action filings have been publicly announced in connection with this specific recall as of the time of publication, food safety attorneys and consumer rights advocates are monitoring the situation closely. Recalls involving pasteurization failures — even where no illnesses are confirmed — have historically resulted in civil litigation if consumers can establish that they were harmed or that they unknowingly consumed a potentially adulterated product. Anyone who believes they suffered an injury linked to this product is encouraged to consult a food safety or product liability attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which exact products are recalled? 

Three Great Value cottage cheese products — Fat Free (0%), Lowfat (2%), and Regular (4% Milkfat Min) — in 16 oz., 24 oz., and 3 lb. containers with specific Best If Used By dates of April 1–3, 2026. See the full UPC list in the product section above.

How do I know if my container is part of the recall? 

Check three things on the container lid: (1) the UPC barcode, (2) the Best If Used By date, and (3) the Plant Code (PLT#). All three must match the recalled batch. If you cannot confirm all three, contact Saputo’s hotline at 1-888-587-2423.

I already ate some of this cottage cheese. What should I do?

If you feel well, monitor yourself for symptoms over the next several days. If you experience fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps — especially if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised — seek medical attention promptly and inform your doctor of the possible exposure to under-pasteurized dairy.

How do I get a refund? 

Return the product to any Walmart store for a full refund. No receipt is required. You may also call Saputo at 1-888-587-2423 for further assistance.

Where can I find official recall information? 

The official FDA recall notice is available at fda.gov under Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts. You can also visit Saputo’s official website or search the CPSC/FDA recall database for the most current updates.

 Is this a nationwide recall? 

No. The recall is limited to 24 U.S. states where the affected products were distributed to Walmart stores between February 17 and February 20, 2026. See the full state list above.

Why is pasteurization so important for cottage cheese specifically? 

Unlike hard cheeses or cooked dairy products, cottage cheese is a fresh, ready-to-eat product consumed without any heat treatment by the consumer. This means there is no “kill step” to neutralize pathogens after purchase — making complete pasteurization during manufacturing the single most critical food safety control for this type of product.

Last Updated: March 11, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on official recall information from the FDA and Saputo Cheese USA. Always follow the most current official guidance from the company or relevant regulatory authority. If you believe you have been harmed by a recalled product, consult a qualified attorney.

Published: February 25, 2026 | Updated: March 11, 2026 | Source: FDA, Saputo Cheese USA | AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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