By Christy Solo – Editor
Several thousand containers of grated cheese which were recalled in Nov. 2025 due to listeria concerns have been bumped up to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most high-risk recall category.
The recall is now a Class I recall. What this means: there is a “reasonable probability” that the use of, or exposure to, the product could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The pecorino romano cheese products were sold in Oregon and 19 other states. They were sold to distributors and retail locations, including Sam’s Club.
The cheese was made by the Ambriola Company. Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration report it could be contaminated with listeria, a bacterium that can cause serious illness in some people.
Routine testing uncovered contamination at Ambriola’s processing plant in West Caldwell, New Jersey, before the initial recall on Nov. 25, 2025.
There are eight cheese products sold in plastic bags and cups of various sizes included in the recall. Brands include: Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Pinna, Ambriola and Member’s Mark.
Because of their long shelf-life there is concern individuals may still have some in cupboards or refrigerators.
If you purchased any of the recalled foods, do not consume them. Either throw them out, or you may return the cheese to where you purchased it and receive a full refund. Additional questions can be directed to Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224.
Keep an eye out for the following products in your cupboard or refrigerator:
- Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated sold in a 4-ounce cup with expiration dates of 05/03/26, 05/10/26 and 05/17/26
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano sold in an 8-ounce cup with expiration dates of 04/06/26, 04/11/26, 04/12/26, 04/15/26, 04/17/26, 05/05/26, 05/06/26, 05/07/26, 05/10/26, 05/12/26, 05/14/26 and 05/17/26
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano sold in a 6-ounce cup with expiration dates of 03/04/26 and 03/12/2026
- Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano sold in a 1.5-pound bag with expiration dates of 03/25/26, 03/30/26 and 04/05/26
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano sold by the pound with expiration dates of 03/04/26, 03/06/26, 03/11/26 and 03/13/26
- Ambriola Grated Pecorino Romano sold by the pound with expiration dates of 02/28/26, 03/04/26 and 03/11/26
- Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano sold by the pound with an expiration date of 03/11/26
- Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated bag sold by the pound with expiration dates of 03/03/26 and 03/12/26
