Which Great Value cottage cheese flavors and sizes are included in the recall?

Only the Fat Free (0 % milkfat), Lowfat (2 %), and Small Curd (4 %) varieties and sizes listed above are affected. No other Great Value dairy products are involved.

I live outside the 23 states listed—could my Great Value cottage cheese still be recalled?

The recalled lots were distributed only to the named states. If you bought Great Value cottage cheese elsewhere, it is unlikely to be impacted, but you can verify by matching the UPC and best-by date against the list.

How do I get a refund for my recalled Great Value cottage cheese?

Bring—or mail—the unused product or its lid showing the UPC/best-by date to the Walmart where you purchased it. You will receive a full refund even without a receipt.

What illnesses can unpasteurized Great Value cottage cheese potentially cause?

Possible infections include listeriosis, salmonellosis, and E. coli–related illness, which can lead to fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or more severe complications in high-risk groups.

Have any illnesses been linked to the Great Value cottage cheese recall so far?

As of Saputo’s announcement on February 24, 2026, no illnesses or hospitalizations have been reported to either the FDA or the company.

Is it safe to buy Great Value cottage cheese now that the pasteurizer issue is fixed?

Yes. The affected pasteurizer was repaired, validated, and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. New batches are produced under standard safety controls.

Can I cook or bake with the recalled Great Value cottage cheese to make it safe?

No. Home cooking temperatures and times are not reliable for killing all harmful bacteria. The safest choice is to discard or return the recalled product.

Source: FDA

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FDA Recall: Great Value Cottage Cheese

Great Value • February 25, 2026

Great Value Cottage Cheese Recall for Incomplete Pasteurization

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of select Great Value cottage cheese because certain dairy ingredients may not have been fully pasteurized. Consuming un-pasteurized dairy can cause serious illness—especially for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system. If you have the affected tubs, discard them or return them to Walmart for a full refund.

Which Great Value Cottage Cheese Products Are Recalled?

The following items were shipped to Walmart stores and distribution centers in 23 states between February 17 and 20, 2026. All come in white plastic tubs with a white lid; the Best If Used By date is stamped on the lid rim.

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 0 % Milkfat
• 24 oz container — UPC 078742373393 — Best by: APR-01-26, APR-03-26
Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 2 % Milkfat
• 24 oz container — UPC 078742116730 — Best by: APR-01-26, APR-02-26, APR-03-26
Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese – 4 % Milkfat Minimum
• 16 oz container — UPC 078742372358 — Best by: APR-02-26
• 24 oz container — UPC 078742372365 — Best by: APR-02-26, APR-03-26
• 3 lb (48 oz) container — UPC 078742147970 — Best by: APR-01-26, APR-02-26

States Receiving Recalled Cottage Cheese

Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Source

FDA Recall Notice

Health Risks of Incomplete Pasteurization

Pasteurization briefly heats dairy to kill harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. If the process is interrupted, those germs may survive, increasing the risk of food-borne illness. No illnesses have been reported to date. Saputo discovered the lapse during pasteurizer troubleshooting with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”

What Should Consumers Do with Recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese?

Check the UPC and Best If Used By dates on any Great Value cottage cheese in your refrigerator.
Do not eat recalled items.
Dispose of the product securely or return it to the Walmart where purchased for a full refund—no receipt required.
For questions, call Saputo’s consumer hotline at 1-888-587-2423 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT) or email media@saputo.com.

Official Images from the Recall

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese 24 oz front label — Source: FDA

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese 24 oz side view — Source: FDA

Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese UPC — Source: FDA

Great Value Lowfat Cottage Cheese 24 oz front label — Source: FDA

Great Value Lowfat Cottage Cheese UPC — Source: FDA

Great Value Lowfat Cottage Cheese lid Best By date — Source: FDA

Great Value 4 % Cottage Cheese 16 oz front — Source: FDA

Great Value 4 % Cottage Cheese 16 oz side — Source: FDA

Great Value 4 % Cottage Cheese UPC — Source: FDA

Great Value Cottage Cheese Recall – FAQs

1. Which Great Value cottage cheese flavors and sizes are included in the recall?: Only the Fat Free (0 % milkfat), Lowfat (2 %), and Small Curd (4 %) varieties and sizes listed above are affected. No other Great Value dairy products are involved.
2. I live outside the 23 states listed—could my Great Value cottage cheese still be recalled?: The recalled lots were distributed only to the named states. If you bought Great Value cottage cheese elsewhere, it is unlikely to be impacted, but you can verify by matching the UPC and best-by date against the list.
3. How do I get a refund for my recalled Great Value cottage cheese?: Bring—or mail—the unused product or its lid showing the UPC/best-by date to the Walmart where you purchased it. You will receive a full refund even without a receipt.
4. What illnesses can unpasteurized Great Value cottage cheese potentially cause?: Possible infections include listeriosis, salmonellosis, and E. coli–related illness, which can lead to fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or more severe complications in high-risk groups.
5. Have any illnesses been linked to the Great Value cottage cheese recall so far?: As of Saputo’s announcement on February 24, 2026, no illnesses or hospitalizations have been reported to either the FDA or the company.
6. Is it safe to buy Great Value cottage cheese now that the pasteurizer issue is fixed?: Yes. The affected pasteurizer was repaired, validated, and sealed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. New batches are produced under standard safety controls.
7. Can I cook or bake with the recalled Great Value cottage cheese to make it safe?: No. Home cooking temperatures and times are not reliable for killing all harmful bacteria. The safest choice is to discard or return the recalled product.