The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a Class I recall—its most serious risk level—for thousands of units of grated Pecorino Romano cheese products distributed across 20 states.
Why It Matters
Initiated voluntarily by Ambriola Co., it follows tests confirming the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can cause severe illness.
What Is a Class I Recall?
According to the FDA, a Class I recall is reserved for situations where there is a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
What To Know
The recall, identified by Event ID 98053, was initiated on November 21, 2025, and officially classified by the FDA on January 6, 2026.
It remains ongoing, with products distributed to retail stores and distributors nationwide between November 3 and November 20, 2025, across 22 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Washington.
The recall impacts a total of 11,529 units across multiple product types and brands. This includes grated Pecorino Romano products in various packaging formats such as plastic cups, lids, and bags.
It includes the following products and brands:
Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated (4- and 8-ounce cups), expiration dates: 04/06/26–05/17/26Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano (6-ounce cups and 5-pound bags), expiration dates: 03/04/26–03/12/26Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano (1.5-pound bags), expiration dates: 03/25/26–04/05/26Ambriola Grated Pecorino Romano (sold by the pound), expiration dates: 02/28/26–03/11/26Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano (10-pound bags), expiration date: 03/11/26Sam’s Pecorino Romano grated (1.5-pound bags)Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano, and Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano in various commercial quantities
The recall affects lot numbers listed in the company’s press release, including H-0367-2026 through H-0374-2026, totaling thousands of retail and bulk units.
All affected products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during routine screening. No other products under the Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head brands are part of this recall.
Full List of States Impacted
The list of states impacted by the recall is as follows:
Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Massachusetts MaineNew Jersey New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin Health Risks Associated with Listeria Contamination
Listeria monocytogenes poses a particular threat to high-risk groups such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Symptoms in healthy adults may include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severe infection can result in miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
According to the FDA, no illnesses linked to the recalled products have been reported as of November 26, 2025. For anyone who experiences symptoms associated with listeriosis after consuming the recalled cheese, consulting a health care provider is strongly advised.
What People Are Saying
Phil Marfuggi, Ambriola’s chief executive officer, said in a company statement: “We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves. We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.”
What Happens Next
Consumers who purchased any of the affected products are advised not to consume them. Products should be disposed of or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions and further assistance, customers can contact Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
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