20 states are now impacted by a nationwide recall on batches of Pecorino Romano cheese. The recall is due to a contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA has elevated the status of this recall to Class 1 status, meaning that consumption of the contaminated product has significant, if not serious, health impacts.
The FDA announcement indicates some of the side effects of contamination are: high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
Food recalls are categorized based on level of severity. A Class I recall, per the FDA, is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The Ambriola Company first issued the recall in November, announcing “routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”
Per the recall notice, no illnesses have been reported as of the November 25th, 2025 announcement.
The affected products were distributed nationwide from November 3rd to November 20th, 2025. Take note of the list of recalled products:
Retail Product (Exact Weight)
Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated 4 oz. cup
Expiration Dates:
- 05/03/26
- 05/10/26
- 05/17/26
Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 8 oz. cup
Expiration Dates:
- 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
- 05/17/26
Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano 6 oz. cup
Expiration Dates:
- 03/04/26
- 03/12/2026
Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano 1.5 lb. Bag
Expiration Dates:
- 03/25/26
- 03/30/26
- 04/05/26
Grated Product Sold by the Pound
Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano
Expiration Dates:
- 03/04/26
- 03/06/26
- 03/11/26
- 03/13/26
Ambriola Grated Pecorino Romano
Expiration Dates:
- 02/28/26
- 03/04/26
- 03/11/26
Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano
Expiration Date:
- 03/11/26
Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated Bag
Expiration Dates:
- 03/03/26
- 03/12/26
Images of the affected products, for reference:
Per the FDA announcement, Ambriola states: “No other Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head products are included in the recall.”
They continue with the following guidance:
“Customers who purchased the affected products should not consume them and either 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 9:00am – 4:00 pm ET.”
Seek out a medical professional if you have any concerns or symptoms after exposure to contaminated products.