WASHINGTON — The recall of several cheese products across the nation, initially announced last year, has now been elevated to the Food and Drug Administration’s most critical risk category. This upgrade comes after tests confirmed the presence of a potentially life-threatening bacterium.

In an updated enforcement report published on January 6, the FDA announced that the recall has been reclassified as a Class I concern, the agency’s highest alert level.

According to the FDA, a Class I recall signifies a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, [the] product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

This change in classification is linked to the identification of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that poses significant health risks, especially to pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems. The illness caused by this bacterium is known as listeriosis.

As of now, there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with this recall.

The original recall by The Ambriola Company came on Nov. 25, 2025 after routine testing found traces of the listeria bacteria in samples of cheese produced at the company’s New Jersey manufacturing facility. 

Healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

But the infection can cause serious health concerns among the elderly, young and pregnant, including the possibility of death and miscarriage. 

Four of the eight products were sold directly to consumers, while another four were sold by the pound for large-scale cooking. 

Recalled cheese products for consumer cooking:

• Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 4-ounce and 8-ounce plastic cups with lids (12 units per case).
  Recall No. H-0367-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000572472, 1000570734, 1000570735, 1000570736, 1000572482, 1000572483, 1000572485.
  About 6,632 units recalled.

• Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.
  Recall No. H-0368-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, 1000572477.
  About 964 bags recalled.

• Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano, 10-pound plastic bags (two per case).
  Recall No. H-0369-2026.
  Lot number: 1000572486.
  About 45 bags recalled.

• Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano, 6-ounce plastic cups with lids (12 units per case).
  Recall No. H-0370-2026.
  Lot number: 1000572486.
  About 2,106 units recalled.

Recalled cheese products sold by the pound:

• Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Pecorino Romano Grated, 1.5-pound plastic bags (12 units per case).
  Recall No. H-0371-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000570107, 1000570766, 1000572513.
  About 1,015 bags recalled.

• Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated, 5-pound plastic bags.
  Recall No. H-0372-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000570093, 1000570738.
  About 405 bags recalled.

• Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano, 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.
  Recall No. H-0373-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487.
  About 179 bags recalled.

• Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano, 8-ounce plastic cups with lids (48 units per case).
  Recall No. H-0374-2026.
  Lot numbers: 1000570750, 1000572499, 1000572514.
  About 184 units recalled.