FDA Elevates Cheese Recall to Highest Risk Level Over Listeria Concerns

The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a nationwide cheese recall to its highest risk category after samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria.

The Ambriola Company, based in West Caldwell, New Jersey, first issued a voluntary recall in November after routine testing detected Listeria in several of its cheese products. The bacteria can cause serious illness, particularly among pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

While healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infections can result in miscarriages and stillbirths, according to the FDA.

On Tuesday, the agency reclassified the recall as a Class I, meaning there is a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The recall covers eight cheese products, some sold directly to consumers and others distributed in bulk for food service use. The affected items were distributed nationwide between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20.

Recalled Products Include:

• Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano (4-oz, 8-oz cups; 5- and 10-lb bags)

• Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano (10-lb bags)

• Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano (6-oz cups; 5-lb bags)

• Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Pecorino Romano Grated (1.5-lb bags)

• Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano (5- and 10-lb bags)

The recalled cheeses were distributed to retail stores and food distributors across the United States.

Consumers who purchased any of the affected products are urged not to eat them and to return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Those experiencing Listeria symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately.