Cheddar Cheese Recalled Over Listeria Risk
FDA upgrades urgent recall on multiple cheese products due to deadly Listeria contamination—check your fridge now.
Multiple brands of grated Pecorino Romano cheese, including Locatelli, Boar’s Head, and Member’s Mark, have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that poses severe health risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this as a Class I recall, the highest risk level, indicating a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death.
What You Need to Know About the Recall
The recall was initially issued voluntarily by The Ambriola Company on December 3, 2025, following routine testing that confirmed the presence of Listeria in products manufactured at their West Caldwell, New Jersey facility. Distributed nationwide between November 3 and November 20, 2025, these cheeses were sold in retail stores and to distributors for large-scale use. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the FDA upgraded the recall to Class I due to the pathogen’s severity.
Listeria monocytogenes is particularly hazardous because it can spread beyond the gut into the bloodstream and other organs, leading to life-threatening infections. While healthy adults might experience mild flu-like symptoms, vulnerable groups face graver dangers. Production and distribution of affected items have been halted, and the company is conducting a thorough sanitation review.
Affected Products: Full List and Identification
Consumers should immediately check their refrigerators and pantries for these products. Do not consume them—either discard or return to the point of purchase for a refund. The recall covers specific lot numbers and packaging across eight product lines from brands like Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, and Ambriola.
| Product Name | Packaging Size | Lot Numbers / Use By Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano | 4-oz and 8-oz plastic cups with lids | 1000572472, 1000570734, 1000570735, 1000570736, 1000572482, 1000572483, 1000572485; Use by: 05/03/26, 05/10/26, 05/17/26 (4-oz); Floor Display: 04/06/26 to 05/17/26 (8-oz) |
| Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano | 5- and 10-lb plastic bags | 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, 1000572477; Use by: 03/04/26, 03/06/26, 03/11/26, 03/13/26 |
| Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano | 10-lb plastic bags | 1000572486; Use by: 03/11/26 |
| Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano | 6-oz plastic cups with lids | 1000572486; Use by: 03/04/26, 03/12/26 |
| Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Pecorino Romano Grated | 1.5-lb plastic bags | 1000570107, 1000570766, 1000572513; Use by: 03/25/26, 03/30/26, 04/05/26 |
| Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated | 5-lb plastic bags | 1000570093, 1000570738; Use by: 03/03/26, 03/12/26 |
| Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano | 5- and 10-lb plastic bags | 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487; Use by: 02/28/26, 03/04/26, 03/11/26 |
Note: Only these specific products and lot codes are affected. Other items from Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head are safe.
Understanding Listeria: Risks and Symptoms
Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria, is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S. It thrives in refrigerated environments, unlike most bacteria, making ready-to-eat cheeses prime vectors. Symptoms typically appear 1-4 weeks after exposure but can take up to 70 days.
- Mild symptoms (healthy adults): High fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
- Severe risks (vulnerable groups): Pregnant women face miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn infection; elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals risk meningitis, sepsis, or death.
The bacterium’s ability to cross the placental barrier makes it especially perilous during pregnancy. Early medical intervention with antibiotics can mitigate outcomes, so prompt symptom recognition is crucial.
What to Do If You’ve Consumed the Cheese
If you’ve eaten any recalled product, monitor for symptoms for up to two months. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if fever, muscle aches, or gastrointestinal distress occur, mentioning possible Listeria exposure. Pregnant individuals or those at high risk should seek care even for mild signs.
For questions, call Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM–4 PM ET). Retailers have been notified to pull products from shelves.
Preventing Listeria in Your Kitchen
Food safety experts recommend these habits to minimize risks:
- Refrigerate perishables below 40°F (4°C) and consume cheese within expiration dates.
- Avoid cross-contamination: Use separate cutting boards for cheese and raw meats.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling deli cheeses.
- Heat cheeses to 165°F (74°C) if unsure; Listeria dies at high temperatures.
- Check FDA recall alerts regularly via email subscriptions or apps.
Grated cheeses like Pecorino Romano are often used uncooked in pasta or salads, heightening exposure risks compared to melted applications.
Broader Context: Recent Cheese Recalls
This incident follows other cheese-related alerts, such as Great Lakes Cheese’s recall of shredded mozzarella blends (Aldi, Walmart brands) for metal fragments, underscoring ongoing dairy safety challenges. Listeria outbreaks have hit cheeses repeatedly, including a 2024 Boar’s Head deli meat case linked to 10 deaths.
The FDA’s Class I designation prioritizes rapid response, protecting public health amid rising foodborne illness reports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Class I recall?
A Class I recall is the FDA’s most severe classification, signaling a reasonable probability of serious health issues or death from the product.
Which brands are impacted?
Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club), and Ambriola Pecorino Romano grated cheeses.
Has anyone gotten sick?
No illnesses reported as of the latest update, but symptoms can be delayed.
Where were products sold?
Nationwide to retail stores and distributors from Nov 3-20, 2025.
Is all Pecorino Romano unsafe?
No, only specific lots from the listed facility. Other products are unaffected.
What if I can’t find the lot number?
Err on caution: Discard if purchased in the date range from affected brands.
How does Listeria survive in cheese?
It tolerates cold temps and can grow slowly in fridges, surviving in unpasteurized or improperly processed products.
Company Response and Next Steps
CEO Phil Marfuggi emphasized: “We take food safety very seriously… working closely with the FDA.” Enhanced testing and sanitation protocols are underway to prevent recurrence.
Consumers: Act now—check labels, dispose safely, and stay vigilant. Food recalls evolve; monitor FDA.gov for updates.
References
- FDA Upgrades Cheese Recall Over Deadly Listeria Bacteria — Fox Business. 2025-12 (approx.). https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/recall-cheese-products-upgraded-highest-danger-level-over-listeria-causing-bacteria-fda
- The Ambriola Company Issues Recall of Cheese Products Because of Listeria Health Risk — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2025-12-03. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ambriola-company-issues-recall-cheese-products-because-listeria-health-risk
- Shredded Cheese Recall | Aldi, Target, Walmart — Consumer Reports. 2025 (recent). https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-recalls/shredded-cheese-recall-a1396345250/
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