On Jan. 6, the Food and Drug Administration gave the highest risk level, Class I, to a nationwide recall of Pecorino Romano cheese. The cheese, produced by the Ambriola Company, was initially recalled in late November after routine testing found Listeria contamination. Listeria infections are relatively rare, but the bacteria are a leading cause of death from foodborne illness. To date, no infections have been reported in connection to the recalled cheese.
The following products—sent to retailers and distributors between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20, 2025—are under recall:
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano 6-oz plastic cup; lot number: 1000572486
- Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated 5-lb plastic bag; lot numbers: 1000570093 and 1000570738
- Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano 2/10, 10-lb plastic bags; lot number: 1000572486
- Sam’s Pecorino Romano grated 1.5-lb plastic bag; lot numbers: 1000570107, 1000570766, and 1000572513
- Ambriola Piccante grated Pecorino Romano 5-lb and 10-lb plastic bags; lot numbers: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, and 1000572487
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 4-oz and 8-oz plastic cups; lot numbers: 1000572472, 1000570734, 1000570735, 1000570736, 1000572482, 1000572483, and 1000572485
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 5-lb and 10-lb plastic bags; lot numbers: 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, and 1000572477
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 48/8-oz Shipper, plastic cup; lot numbers: 1000570750, 1000572499, and 1000572514
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.
If you have any of the recalled products, do not eat them—toss or return them right away. If you think you’ve already consumed contaminated cheese, monitor for common Listeria symptoms, such as:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
