Dairy Recall Map Shows States Affected by FDA's Highest Alert

More than a million pounds of cheese products have been recalled, with some 24 states affected by the warning.

Recalled dairy products have been hit with the most severe hazard warning amid fears they could be contaminated with the food poisoning bug salmonella.

A huge range of whey and lactose products—destined for restaurants and food manufacturers—were recalled by the Grande Cheese Company after the items had been shipped across the country and abroad.

Now, Newsweek has created a map to show the 24 U.S. states affected by the warning.

The firm first initiated the recall back on May 1, with notices affecting 1,726,910 pounds of dairy products. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an update, classifying the recall as a "Class I" risk level, meaning consumption of a contaminated product could "cause serious adverse health consequences or death."

The map above shows where the products were distributed. Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin are all affected by the recall.

The recalled products were also distributed outside of the U.S., in Canada, Ecuador, and Japan.

The products in question, according to the FDA, are: Grande Lactose (product codes 30600 and 30601); Grande Bravo 250 Functional Whey Protein (32101); Grande Bravo 300 Functional Whey Protein (32102); Grande Bravo 500 Functional Whey Protein (32103); Grande Bravo 550 Functional Whey Protein (32105); Grande Bravo 600 Functional Whey Protein (32106); Grande Ultra 8000 Nutritional Whey Protein Isolate (32200); Grande Ultra 9100 Nutritional Whey Protein Isolate (32131); Grande Ultra 9150 Nutritional Whey Protein Isolate (32324); and Grande Grande Primo Y45 Cultured Dairy Product (32400).

Salmonella is a bacteria that makes people sick and is often the cause of food poisoning. Sufferers are usually hit with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps and can remain ill for up to a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella poisoning isn't usually life-threatening, but it can be dangerous for the more vulnerable patients, such as the elderly or those with weak immune systems.

It is unclear how the possible salmonella contamination occurred and whether any consumers have fallen sick as a result.

Newsweek reached out by email to Grande Cheese Company seeking clarification on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Grande Custom Ingredients Group said: "Grande Custom Ingredients Group voluntarily recalled certain whey and lactose products processed at a single location because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No cheese products are affected.

"The issue was discovered during a standard quality control process, and out of an abundance of caution, recall procedures were deployed. Grande Custom Ingredients Group is working in partnership with customers affected by this recall. In alignment with our commitment to the highest safety and quality standards, we are fully investigating the root cause of the recall."

The firm's website says it "manufactures several lines of trademark-quality cheese for the finest pizzerias and restaurants. We also provide specialty whey products to international food-and-beverage manufacturers which uniquely improves the taste, texture, and nutrition of their products."

Recalls happen relatively often across a range of industries. Data compiled by Newsweek last week found more than 350 food and beverage recalls by the FDA, for a range of products including baby formula, fruits and vegetables, food kits, desserts, snacks, drinks like lemonade, dipping sauces, frozen pizzas, pastas and cooking oils.

Update 6/17/24, 11:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Grande Custom Ingredients Group.

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