Cleaning Solution in Milk, Metal Fragments in Shredded Cheese, and 3 More December Food Recalls You Need to Know

This December, there are five ongoing food recalls you need to be aware of, including alerts for kitchen staples like shredded cheese and milk. If you have any of these products, toss or return them right away.

Shredded Cheese

Shredded cheese sold at major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Aldi, was recalled for possibly containing metal fragments, which can cause internal injury if consumed.

The cheese, which was distributed in 31 states and Puerto Rico, was initially recalled in early October. On Dec. 2, the FDA gave the recall the second-highest risk level, Class II, which indicates that the chance of serious health consequences is “remote,” but there is a possibility of temporary or reversible effects.

The recall impacts the following types of shredded cheese:

• Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
• Italian Style Shredded Cheese Blend
• Pizza Style Shredded Cheese Blend
• Mozzarella and Provolone Shredded Cheese Blend
• Mozzarella and Parmesan Shredded Cheese Blend

A full list of brands and other product information is available in the FDA’s report.

Milk

A recall was initiated for certain gallons of fat-free milk from Prairie Farms sold in Illinois and Wisconsin at Woodman’s Markets.

According to the FDA, the recalled milk may contain “food-grade cleaning agents,” which could lead to illness if consumed—though the announcement did not say whether there have been any reports of illness so far. About 320 gallons of affected milk were sold before Prairie Farms discovered the problem.

You can identify the recalled milk by the product details below:

• Product name: Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk
• Code date: DEC08
• Plant code: PLT19-145
• Impacted production window (timestamp): 17:51–21:23
• UPC: 7273023117

Ritz Cracker Sandwiches

On Dec. 2, the FDA announced a recall of select Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches sold in eight states.

The recalled sandwiches, produced by Mondelēz Global LLC, may have been incorrectly labeled as the cheese variety, resulting in undeclared peanuts. The situation poses the risk of serious allergic reactions for people with peanut allergies, but no adverse reactions have been reported so far.

The recalled Ritz crackers can be identified by the following information:

• Product description: RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches – 20 Count
• Size: 27.6 oz. (20 x 1.38-oz. six-pack carton)
• UPC: 44000 07584 2
• Best-when-used-by dates: 8 JAN 26 and 15 Jan 26
• Plant code: “AE” (located on top of package)
• Affected quantity: 70 cases

The individually wrapped six-packs may have the incorrect cheese label, but the FDA said the outer boxes are labeled correctly and list the peanut allergen.

Salad Dressing

Thousands of gallons of salad dressings and condiments were recalled in 27 states and Costa Rica due to possible contamination of a foreign object: black plastic.

The products, made by Ventura Foods LLC, were initally recalled in early November. On Dec. 4, the FDA gave the recall a Class II risk level, as consuming black plastic poses a safety hazard. The affected items were distributed to delis and food courts, so it’s unlikely that consumers have the products.

See the product details of the recalled salad dressings below:

• Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch; SKU: 0 26700 19192 3; lot code: MFG102725H
• Costco Service Deli Caesar Dressing; SKU: 0 26700 19376 7; lot codes: B28025, B28125, B28225, B29025, B29125, and B29225
• Costco Food Court Caesar Dressing; SKU: 0 26700 19376 7; best-by date: March 4, 2026
• Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce; SKU: 10 026700 16964 6; lot code: B28725
• Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing; SKU: 0 93901 72607 0; lot code: H29025
• Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing; SKU: 0 93901 78134 5; lot code: H29025
• Monarch Italian Salad Dressing; SKU: 7 67367 00518 4; lot code: B29525
• Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip; SKU: 7 34730 53243 1; lot code: MFG101625H
• Ventura Caesar Dressing; SKU: 00 026700 17360 8; lot code: P27525

A representative from Hidden Valley Ranch told Health that the recalled ranch was not sold to consumers and was intended solely for food service, but it was never distributed.

Costco also recalled the following items, which have since expired, that contained the affected salad dressing:

• Caesar Salad; item number: 19927; sell-by dates: 10/17/25 to 11/9/25
• Chicken Sandwich w/ Caesar Salad; item number: 11444; sell-by dates: 10/17/25 to 11/9/25

Mixed Nuts

On Dec. 2, Wegmans recalled mixed nuts sold at its stores in nine states and Washington, D.C.

The products may contain Salmonella, bacteria that can cause severe foodborne illness. The company did not say whether there were any reports of illness connected to the recalled nuts.

The recall impacts nuts with the following product details:

Wegmans Deluxe Unsalted Mixed Nuts, Family Pack

• Size: 34 oz.
• UPC: 0-77890-42131-4
• Best-by date: July 28, 2026
• Lot code: DC 58041

Wegmans Deluxe Unsalted Mixed Nuts

• Size: 11.5 oz.
• UPC: 0-77890-42135-2
• Best-by date: Aug. 10, 2026
• Lot code: DC 58171