Update: A large U.S. cheese recall has now been upgraded to the FDA’s highest risk category (Class I) after products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. If you have pre-packaged grated Pecorino Romano (or deli-repacked grated Pecorino) at home, this is the moment to check labels and expiration dates before you use it.
Why this recall is now considered “highest risk”
A Class I classification is used when there is a reasonable probability that eating the recalled product could cause serious adverse health consequences. The upgrade was tied to recalled cheese products that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can be especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant people, newborns, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
The recall involves products connected to The Ambriola Company (West Caldwell, New Jersey) and multiple brand labels, including Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, and Boar’s Head. Full recall details and product photos are posted in the official FDA recall notice for Ambriola cheese products.
Which cheese is affected
According to the FDA recall notice, the affected items were distributed nationwide between November 3, 2025 and November 20, 2025. The recalled list includes both retail cups/bags and grated product sold by the pound (often seen at deli counters or repacked into store containers).
Recalled retail products (check size + label)
- Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated — 4 oz cup (expiration dates: 05/03/26, 05/10/26, 05/17/26)
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano — 8 oz cup (multiple expiration dates listed by FDA, ranging from 04/06/26 through 05/17/26)
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano — 6 oz cup (expiration dates: 03/04/26, 03/12/26)
- Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano — 1.5 lb bag (expiration dates: 03/25/26, 03/30/26, 04/05/26)
Recalled grated product sold by the pound
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano (expiration dates include 03/04/26, 03/06/26, 03/11/26, 03/13/26)
- Ambriola Grated Pecorino Romano (expiration dates include 02/28/26, 03/04/26, 03/11/26)
- Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano (expiration date: 03/11/26)
- Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated bag (expiration dates: 03/03/26, 03/12/26)
Important: Some updated recall reporting also highlights specific lots that were reclassified to Class I, including certain Locatelli cup products and bagged grated items, plus Pinna 10-pound bags. If your cheese is unlabeled (for example, repacked by a store), treat it cautiously and compare your purchase timing to the distribution window above.
What to do if you have the recalled cheese
If any match is found, the safest move is simple:
- Do not eat it. Even if it looks and smells fine.
- Dispose of it safely (sealed bag) or return it to the store for a refund.
- Clean your fridge and surfaces the cheese may have touched (drawers, shelves, containers, cutting boards).
To reduce risk, it’s also smart to clean anything the cheese contacted because Listeria can survive in cold environments and spread to nearby foods. If you start feeling sick after eating potentially affected products—especially if you’re pregnant, over 65, or immunocompromised—read symptom guidance and when to call a doctor on the CDC’s Listeria symptoms page.
Listeria symptoms: what shoppers should watch for
Listeria illness can look like a standard stomach bug at first, but it can become severe. Common symptoms include:
- Fever, chills, muscle aches
- Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Headache, stiff neck, confusion (more serious cases)
For pregnant people, symptoms can be mild while still posing serious risks to the pregnancy. If anyone in your household is in a high-risk group and ate the recalled cheese, contacting a healthcare provider for advice is a prudent step—especially if fever and fatigue show up soon after.
Why this recall is so widespread
This is not a “single store” pull. The same grated Pecorino Romano products were distributed under multiple labels and sold through a mix of supermarket chains, warehouse clubs, and deli counters. That’s how one manufacturing problem can quickly become a multi-state recall affecting thousands of units.
The company has said it takes food safety seriously and has worked to remove affected products from shelves while reviewing sanitation procedures and pausing impacted production. Even so, the FDA upgrade to Class I is a clear signal that consumers should not brush this off as a routine recall.
Quick checklist before your next meal
- Check your fridge for grated Pecorino Romano (cups, bags, deli containers)
- Match brand + size + expiration date against the FDA list
- If uncertain, don’t use it—return or discard
- Wipe down fridge shelves/drawers and wash containers
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