FDA upgrades nationwide cheese recall to highest danger level after listeria-causing bacteria found

The reclassification is tied to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause severe illness.

WASHINGTON — A nationwide recall of multiple cheese products issued last year has been upgraded to the Food and Drug Administration’s most serious risk category after testing confirmed the presence of a potentially deadly bacteria.

The FDA said in an updated enforcement report released Jan. 6 that the recall has been reclassified as Class I, its highest level of concern. 

A Class I recall means there is a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, [the] product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the agency.

The reclassification is tied to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause severe illness, particularly among pregnant women, older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems. The disease produced by the bacteria is commonly referred to as listeria. 

No illnesses linked to the recall have been confirmed. 

The original recall by The Ambriola Company came on Nov. 25, 2025 after routine testing found traces of the listeria bacteria in samples of cheese produced at the company’s New Jersey manufacturing facility. 

Healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

But the infection can cause serious health concerns among the elderly, young and pregnant, including the possibility of death and miscarriage. 

Four of the eight products were sold directly to consumers, while another four were sold by the pound for large-scale cooking. 

Recalled cheese products for consumer cooking:

Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 4-ounce and 8-ounce plastic cups with lids (12 units per case).
Recall No. H-0367-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000572472, 1000570734, 1000570735, 1000570736, 1000572482, 1000572483, 1000572485.
About 6,632 units recalled.

Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.
Recall No. H-0368-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, 1000572477.
About 964 bags recalled.

Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano, 10-pound plastic bags (two per case).
Recall No. H-0369-2026.
Lot number: 1000572486.
About 45 bags recalled.

Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano, 6-ounce plastic cups with lids (12 units per case).
Recall No. H-0370-2026.
Lot number: 1000572486.
About 2,106 units recalled.

Recalled cheese products sold by the pound:

Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Pecorino Romano Grated, 1.5-pound plastic bags (12 units per case).
Recall No. H-0371-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000570107, 1000570766, 1000572513.
About 1,015 bags recalled.

Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated, 5-pound plastic bags.
Recall No. H-0372-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000570093, 1000570738.
About 405 bags recalled.

Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano, 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.
Recall No. H-0373-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487.
About 179 bags recalled.

Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 8-ounce plastic cups with lids (48 units per case).
Recall No. H-0374-2026.
Lot numbers: 1000570750, 1000572499, 1000572514.
About 184 units recalled.