A major national cheese recall has been escalated to the highest possible alert level after laboratory tests confirmed contamination with the potentially deadly Listeria bacteria. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded the recall to a Class I risk, indicating a 'reasonable probability' that consuming the product could cause serious illness or death.
What Products Are Affected and Where Were They Sold?
The recall centres on grated Pecorino Romano cheese sold under several popular brands, including Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, and Ambriola. The supplier, Ambriola Company, first initiated the recall in late November 2025 after detecting Listeria during routine testing.
Approximately 6,600 units are affected, sold in four-ounce and eight-ounce tubs, as well as larger five-pound and ten-pound plastic bags. While initially thought to be distributed nationwide, updated reports specify the products reached 20 US states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Consumers may have purchased the recalled cheese at major retailers including Sam's Club, Costco, ShopRite, Kroger, and Publix, particularly from deli counters stocking Boar's Head products.
The Serious Health Risks of Listeria Infection
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium found in soil, water, and animal faeces. Infection, known as listeriosis, poses a severe threat to vulnerable groups. While healthy individuals may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches, the consequences can be far graver for others.
Pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. In these groups, the infection can become invasive, leading to life-threatening conditions like meningitis, sepsis, or miscarriage. It is estimated that Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the US annually, resulting in roughly 1,000 hospitalisations and 170 deaths.
Authorities stress that, thankfully, no illnesses or deaths have been reported in connection with this specific recall to date.
What Should Consumers Do Now?
The FDA and the companies involved urge consumers to take immediate action. Anyone who has the recalled cheese at home should not eat it. The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Individuals who believe they may have consumed the cheese should monitor themselves for symptoms. These can include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and headache. More serious signs requiring urgent medical attention are a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
Phil Marfuggi, Vice President of Ambriola Company, stated: "We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves. We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities." The company has halted production pending a full review of its sanitation and food safety protocols.
