Walmart shoppers in 24 U.S. states are being urged to check their refrigerators after selected Great Value cottage cheese products were recalled. The recall affects specific batches that may have been produced with a liquid dairy ingredient that was not fully pasteurized. While no illnesses have been reported, food safety officials say consumers should avoid eating the affected products because improperly pasteurized dairy can pose a risk of foodborne illness.
The recalled cottage cheese was manufactured by Saputo Cheese USA Inc. for Walmart’s Great Value brand. According to the recall notice, the products were shipped to Walmart stores and distribution centers between February 17 and February 20, 2026. Anyone who recently purchased Great Value cottage cheese should compare the package information with the recall details below.
Why the cottage cheese was recalled
Pasteurization is a critical food safety process that reduces harmful bacteria by heating dairy ingredients to specific temperatures. Regulators said a liquid dairy ingredient used in certain production lots may not have completed that process properly.
Although there are currently no confirmed illnesses linked to these products, recalls of this type are issued as a precaution. Young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are generally at greater risk of serious illness from contaminated dairy products.
States where the recalled products were sold
The affected products were distributed to Walmart stores and distribution centers in the following 24 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.
If you purchased Great Value cottage cheese in one of these states, check the package size, UPC code, and “Best If Used By” date before using the product.
Recalled products
Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 0% Milkfat
Size: 24 oz
UPC: 078742373393
Best If Used By: APR-01-26, APR-03-26
Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 2% Milkfat
Size: 24 oz
UPC: 078742116730
Best If Used By: APR-01-26, APR-02-26, APR-03-26
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 4% Milkfat Minimum
Size: 16 oz
UPC: 078742372358
Best If Used By: APR-02-26
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 4% Milkfat Minimum
Size: 24 oz
UPC: 078742372365
Best If Used By: APR-02-26, APR-03-26
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 4% Milkfat Minimum
Size: 3 lb
UPC: 078742147970
Best If Used By: APR-01-26, APR-02-26
What customers should do
Consumers who have any of the recalled products should not consume them. Walmart advises customers to either dispose of the product safely or return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.
If you have already eaten one of the affected products and develop symptoms that could be related to foodborne illness, especially if you are in a higher-risk group, contact a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Recalls are issued to remove potentially unsafe products from the market before illnesses occur. Checking the product label carefully is the fastest way to determine whether your purchase is included.
How to check your container
- Confirm it is sold under the Great Value brand.
- Match the product variety (0%, 2%, or 4% milkfat).
- Verify the package size (16 oz, 24 oz, or 3 lb).
- Compare the UPC number with the recalled list.
- Check the “Best If Used By” date printed on the container.
Consumers interested in other recent grocery safety alerts can read about the FDA Class I cream cheese recall over Listeria risk, which explains another recent dairy-related recall and what shoppers should look for.
For the complete recall notice and future updates, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recalls and safety alerts page.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
