Cheese recalled in 20 states, including Oregon, bumped to highest FDA risk level due to listeria concerns

Several thousand containers of grated cheese recalled last year due to listeria concerns have been bumped up to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most high-risk recall category.

In November, the Ambriola Company, a New Jersey-based importer of Italian food products, issued a nationwide recall of more than 11,500 units of grated Pecorino Romano cheese confirmed to be contaminated with listeria.

The FDA upgraded the incident to Class I recall Tuesday, meaning there is “reasonable probability” that exposure to the product will cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.” Class I is the highest danger level assigned to recalls by the FDA.

The recall comprised eight cheese products sold in plastic bags and cups of various sizes — including brands Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Pinna, Ambriola and Member’s Mark.

Items were distributed to 20 states, per the recall, including Oregon and Washington.

Prior to the original November recall, routine testing confirmed the presence of listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can lead to listeriosis, within select cheese products.

Listeriosis, or listeria infection, can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, as well as diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It can cause miscarriages or premature delivery during pregnancy and can be fatal for people with weakened immune systems. It is treated with antibiotics.

Customers who had purchased recalled items are advised not to consume them and to either dispose of or return the product to its place of purchase for 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 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

Locatelli Pecorino RomanoU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationBoar’s Head Pecorino RomanoU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationMember’s Mark grated Pecorino RomanoU.S. Food and Drug Administration