A cheese recall, a pistachio outbreak, and metal in holiday sausage: what's actually in your holiday food

As families across North America stock their refrigerators for holiday gatherings, a series of food safety alerts has raised concerns about common ingredients found in seasonal dishes. From shredded cheese pulled from major retailers to ongoing salmonella illnesses linked to pistachios and metal fragments discovered in holiday sausage, consumers are being urged to check their kitchens before cooking.

The largest recall involves more than 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese products manufactured by Great Lakes Cheese Co. of Hiram, Ohio. The recall, initially launched in October, was elevated to a Class II designation by the FDA on December 1, meaning consumption may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences.

The affected products were sold under store brands including Great Value, Happy Farms, Good & Gather, Food Club, and Lucerne at retailers such as Aldi, Target, Walmart, Publix, and Sprouts across 31 states and Puerto Rico. Products include low-moisture part-skim mozzarella and Italian-style blends with sell-by dates ranging from January to March 2026. While Great Lakes Cheese stated in a December 3 press release that recalled items have been removed from store shelves, the FDA urges consumers to check refrigerators and freezers for any affected packages.

Meanwhile, Canadian health officials continue battling a stubborn salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios imported from Iran. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported 155 laboratory-confirmed cases across six provinces as of early December, with 24 hospitalizations and illnesses dating back to March.

Many who became sick reported eating pistachios or pistachio-containing products, including the trendy Dubai-style chocolates that have surged in popularity this year. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has now issued nearly 300 recalls and implemented mandatory testing for all Iranian pistachios imported before late September.

Health officials warn that identifying country of origin can be challenging, particularly for baked goods or chocolates where pistachios appear as ingredients. The agency advises that if the source cannot be confirmed, consumers should avoid the product entirely, as cooking and baking will not kill the bacteria.

Adding to holiday concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on December 19 a recall of approximately 1,930 pounds of Olympia Provisions' ready-to-eat holiday kielbasa after a consumer discovered metal in the product. The Portland-based company's 16-ounce vacuum-sealed packages bearing establishment number "EST. 39928" and a best-by date of February 19, 2026, were shipped to retailers in California, Oregon, and Washington, and sold nationwide through online sales.

The FSIS classified this as a Class I recall, indicating high risk with reasonable probability of serious health consequences. No injuries have been confirmed.

These recalls come amid what food safety experts describe as an unusually active period for contamination concerns, with Newsweek reporting on December 22 that numerous additional products have been affected by listeria, undeclared allergens, and inspection issues this month. Consumers who believe they have any recalled products should dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.