pecorino romano cheese recall

Pecorino Romano cheese has been subject to a significant recall due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, recently upgraded to Class I status by the FDA, indicating a high risk of serious health consequences or death.

Recall Details

The Ambriola Company initiated the recall in November 2025, affecting multiple brands of grated Pecorino Romano cheese distributed across 20 U.S. states including California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Products involved include Boar's Head (6-oz cups, exp. 3/4/2026 and 3/12/2026), Locatelli (4-oz cups, exp. dates like 5/3/2026 to 5/17/2026), Member's Mark (1.5-lb bags, exp. 3/25/2026 to 4/5/2026), and others sold by weight at stores like Sam's Club, Wegmans, and Big Y. Sold through late 2025 into early 2026, these cheeses tested positive during routine checks, prompting expansions as recently as January 6, 2026.

Health Risks

Listeria can cause severe illness, especially in pregnant people, newborns, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems, leading to symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues—potentially fatal without prompt treatment. No illnesses have been directly reported from this batch yet, but the Class I upgrade underscores the urgency, building on prior Boar's Head listeria outbreaks that sickened dozens.

What to Do

• Check your fridge : Look for affected brands, sizes, and expiration dates listed above—discard or return for a refund immediately.
• Contact details : Reach Ambriola at 800-962-4034 (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET) or check FDA recall pages for updates.

• Clean surfaces : Wipe down any areas where the cheese may have been stored to prevent cross-contamination.

Consumer Reactions

Online forums like Reddit show mixed views: some dismiss risks if healthy ("Every choice carries some level of risk"), while others avoid brands with repeat issues ("subpar processed foods from a brand that has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of adherence"). Trending discussions highlight frustration over recurring deli recalls, urging switches to fresher imports.

TL;DR : Major Pecorino Romano recall for listeria affects popular grated brands through spring 2026—check labels, toss if suspect, and stay vigilant amid rising food safety concerns this year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.