Shredded cheese sold under various brand names at popular grocery stores like Target, Walmart and Aldi has been recalled for possibly containing metal pieces.

The recall was initiated by Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co. on Oct. 3 and is ongoing as of Dec. 1, according to a recently updated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report. The agency classified the recall as "Class II," which means the food "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”

The recalled cheese products were different mixes sold in 31 states under an array of brand names, including store brands such as Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Sprouts and Happy Farms.

If eaten, the metal pieces could cause injury, according to the notice. In a statement on Dec. 3, Great Lakes Cheese told USA TODAY that all impacted products have been removed from store shelves and replaced with new products.

"Further, the products currently on retail shelves are safe to consume and not associated with the October recall," the company said. "While the status of the recall is marked as ongoing in the enforcement report, our records show all products have been fully removed from store shelves."

However, the impacted cheese could still be in customers' fridges. Here's what to know about the recall and where the cheese was sold.

See map of states where recalled shredded cheese was sold

Which shredded cheese was recalled?

What to do with recalled cheeses

Any households that may have any of the affected items from October in their refrigerators or freezers should discard the product or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund, Great Lake Cheese said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Map shows states where recalled shredded cheeses were sold

Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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