If you purchased Pecorino Romano cheese any time in November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an urgent warning: Check the label and the expiration date immediately. This week the Ambriola Company recalled select cheese products after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Further, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Out of an abundance of caution, Ambriola is also recalling additional cheese products processed at the same facility in West Caldwell, New Jersey, where the Listeria monocytogenes was detected.
No illnesses have been reported to date. That said, customers who have symptoms of listeria infection should contact their healthcare provider.
The affected products were distributed to retail stores and distributors nationwide between November 3, 2025 and November 20, 2025, including retailers in Washington. The recalled products include:
|
Retail Product (Exact Weight) |
Expiration Dates |
|---|---|
|
Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated 4 oz. cup |
05/03/26, 05/10/26, 05/17/26 |
|
Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 8 oz. cup |
04/06/26, 04/11/26, 04/12/26, 04/15/26, 04/17/26 |
|
Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano 6 oz. cup |
03/04/26, 03/12/2026 |
|
Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano 1.5 lb. Bag |
03/25/26, 03/30/26, 04/05/26 |
|
Grated Product Sold by the Pound |
Expiration Dates |
|---|---|
|
Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano |
03/04/26, 03/06/26, 03/11/26, 03/13/26 |
|
Ambriola Grated Pecorino Romano |
02/28/26, 03/04/26, 03/11/26 |
|
Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano |
03/11/26 |
|
Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated bag |
03/03/26, 03/12/26 |
No other Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head products are included in the recall.
Customers who purchased the affected products should not consume them. Ether dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224 from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.
“We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves,” said Phil Marfuggi, Ambriola’s chief executive officer, in an FDA recall announement. “We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.”
Ambriola has suspended production and distribution of affected products as the company conducts a thorough review of all sanitation and food safety procedures.
The following are images of recalled products:
