Kraft Cottage Cheese Recall Impacts 1.2 Million Cases

About 1.2 million cases of cottage cheese sold by Kraft under a number of different brand names are being recalled, after it was determined that some of the ingredients may have been stored improperly, potentially causing premature spoilage and foodborne illnesses.  

The Kraft Cottage Cheese recall was announced on May 17, impacting products sold under the Knudsen, Breakstone’s, Daily Chef and Simply Kraft labels.

Officials indicate that ingredients used in nearly three-dozen cottage cheese products were not properly stored at the correct temperature, potentially causing earlier expirations than marked and sickness if consumed. At least one illness has been linked to the recalled cottage cheese.

The recall includes an estimated 1.2 million cases of cottage cheese products stamped with manufacturing date code 06-245. The products were manufactured at the Tulare, California Kraft Foods Group plant from May 9, 2014 through July 23, 2014 and were distributed to various grocery stores and retailers nationwide.

The recalled cottage cheese products were sold in a variety of sizes, from 3.9 ounce to five-pound tubs in cases containing between six and 12 tubs. The date code can be found either on the bottom of the tub or on the top of the package.

Kraft spokesman Russ Dyer, announced the company has halted the production of products that may contain the affected ingredients and is investigating one report of an illness stemming from a batch of cheese that may have contained similar tainted ingredients.

The company says it has ceased production at the Tulare factory while the company addresses the problem.

Kraft advises customers with recalled cottage cheese products not to eat them, and to return them to the store of purchase for an exchange or full refund. Customers with questions may contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations at 1-800-396-6307.

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