Popular food brand Boar's Head is at the centre of a major food safety scare, issuing a nationwide recall for specific cheese products over fears they are contaminated with the potentially deadly listeria bacteria. This alarming development comes just a year after a separate listeria outbreak linked to the company's deli meats led to widespread illness and tragic fatalities.
Urgent Recall Details and Product Information
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this event as a Class I recall, its most serious alert level, reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that consuming the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The recall affects cheeses produced for Boar's Head by a third-party supplier, the Ambriola Company.
The specific products being pulled from shelves include:
- Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese (6oz containers) with a UPC of 042421-05858, item code 858, and sell-by dates from November 21, 2025, to March 12, 2026.
- Boar's Head FS Grated Romano Cheese with a UPC of 042421-15119 and the same sell-by dates.
- Pre-cut Pecorino Romano cheese with an item code of 15160, a UPC of 042421-15160, and sell-by dates from November 25, 2025, to May 11, 2026.
Although the cheeses were initially sold in Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana, Boar's Head is recalling all Ambriola-made cheeses sold nationwide as a precaution. Officials are concerned that these products may still be in consumers' refrigerators and are urging people to dispose of them immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.
A Troubled History and Company Response
This incident evokes painful memories of a previous listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head. Last year, contaminated deli meats from the manufacturer led to a devastating public health crisis. Official figures confirm that outbreak hospitalised 60 people and was responsible for 10 deaths.
In a statement addressing the current cheese recall, a Boar's Head spokesperson emphasised the company's commitment to safety, stating: 'Boar's Head is committed to delivering safe, high-quality foods that consumers can enjoy with confidence.' The company confirmed it took immediate action to stop purchasing products from The Ambriola Company and is ensuring the affected items are removed from national distribution.
The spokesperson was quick to label this 'an isolated incident related to The Ambriola Company (a third-party manufacturer)' and confirmed that no other Boar's Head products from different facilities are involved. To date, there have been no reports of illnesses, hospitalisations, or deaths connected to the recalled cheeses.
Understanding the Listeria Threat
Listeria contamination is a severe food safety issue. The bacteria can survive and even multiply in cold environments like refrigerators and deli counters, making it particularly persistent. While an estimated 1,250 Americans are infected annually, the consequences are often grave, resulting in roughly 1,000 hospitalisations and 170 deaths each year.
The infection poses the greatest risk to vulnerable groups, including older adults, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, a listeria infection can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Symptoms typically appear within 24 hours and can include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea and vomiting. In severe cases, the infection can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening complication.
The cause of the contamination in this specific case remains under investigation. In past incidents, listeria has been traced to contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces in production facilities.
