A national cheese recall has been elevated to the highest alert level after tests confirmed contamination with the deadly Listeria bacteria.
The FDA upgraded the recall of grated Pecorino Romano cheese sold under popular brands like Locatelli and Boar’s Head, to Class I, its highest risk category, meaning there is a ‘reasonable probability’ that using or eating the product could cause serious illness or death.
Listeria is a foodborne bacterium found in soil, water and some animal feces. When ingested, it can cause an illness called listeriosis.
While healthy individuals may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, listeriosis is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
In these vulnerable groups, the infection can become severe, leading to meningitis, sepsis or even death. So far, no one has died or gotten sick in connection with the recalled cheese.
Ambriola Company, a supplier to Locatelli and Boar’s Head, first recalled the cheese in late November after detecting Listeria during routine tests. The recalled cheese comes in four-ounce and eight-ounce tubs. About 6,600 units are affected.
While the initial FDA announcement said the products were distributed nationwide, updated reports specifically listed 20 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the US every year, estimates suggest, with an estimated 1,000 patients hospitalized and about 170 dying from the disease.
Healthy individuals might only feel flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to meningitis, sepsis, or death in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems (stock image)
Anyone with the recalled cheese at home should not eat it. The cheese should be thrown out or taken back to the store right away.
If someone thinks they have already had some, they should keep an eye out for symptoms.
These can include fever, feeling achy and tired or a headache. More serious signs to watch for are a stiff neck, feeling confused, trouble with balance or seizures.
Following its initial announcement in November 2025, the recall’s scope has grown, with additional products and states now linked to possible listeria contamination.
The affected items span five brands, Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark and Ambriola, and were distributed in both retail and bulk foodservice sizes.
Recalled cheese from the five affected brands can be found at major retailers like Sam’s Club, grocery store delis carrying Boar’s Head such as ShopRite, Kroger and Publix, and specialty or warehouse stores like Costco for Locatelli and Pinna.
When the recall was initially announced in November, Ambriola Vice President Phil Marfuggi, said: ‘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 to fully understand the situation.’
Ambriola Company, which supplies cheese to major brands like Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark, initiated the first recall in late November following a routine test that detected Listeria
Updated reports now specify that the recalled products were distributed in 20 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas and Washington
The company halted production of these products until a review of sanitation and food safety is complete.
In healthy individuals, symptoms of listeriosis generally appear within a day of infection and last approximately one to three days.
The illness typically affects seniors 65 and up more than any other age group, though infants are also particularly susceptible and babies under a month old face a high risk of infection due to an immature immune system.
The illness is also particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. Listeria monocytogenes has a rare and dangerous ability to cross the placental barrier and cause miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight or serious illness in the newborn.
Infection with Listeria can cause a wide range of symptoms. These often begin with flu-like signs, such as fever, muscle aches, headache and gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea.
However, the infection can progress to severe and invasive listeriosis, which may give way to neurological symptoms including a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
