At a Glance
- Listeria contamination found in grated Pecorino Romano products
- 20 states affected across the U.S.
- Products sold under Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Pinna, Sam’s, Ambriola brands
- Why it matters: Listeria can cause fatal infections in vulnerable populations
Cheese products from New Jersey-based Ambriola Company are under a Class I recall after routine testing confirmed dangerous Listeria contamination. The recall affects grated Pecorino Romano products distributed across at least 20 states.
The FDA classified the recall as Class I on January 6, indicating a “reasonable probability” of causing serious health consequences or death. The contamination affects multiple brands including Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Pinna, Sam’s, and Ambriola.
Contaminated Products Identified
The recall includes various sizes and packaging formats:
Locatelli Products:
- Grated Pecorino Romano 4 oz and 8 oz plastic cups (12 per case)
- Grated Pecorino Romano 5 and 10-pound plastic bags
- Grated Pecorino Romano 48/8oz Shipper (48 units per case)
Boar’s Head Products:
- Grated Pecorino Romano 6 oz Plastic Cup & Lid
- Pecorino Romano Grated 5-pound plastic bag
Other Brands:
- Pinna: Grated Pecorino Romano 2/10, 10-pound plastic bags
- Sam’s: Pecorino Romano grated 1.5 lb Plastic Bags
- Ambriola: Piccante grated Pecorino Romano 5 and 10-pound plastic bags
Specific lot numbers for each product are available through the FDA recall notice.
Geographic Impact
The contaminated cheese products reached consumers in:
Western States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington
Eastern States: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Midwestern States: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin
Southern States: Georgia, Texas
Company Response
Phil Marfuggi, chief executive officer of The Ambriola Company, stated: “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.”
The West Caldwell, New Jersey-based company initiated the recall in late November after discovering Listeria monocytogenes during routine testing.
Listeria Health Risks
Listeria monocytogenes poses serious health threats, particularly to vulnerable populations. The bacteria can cause listeriosis, which manifests through:
Mild Symptoms:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Severe Symptoms:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
High-Risk Groups:
- Young children
- Elderly individuals (over 65)
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
The infection timeline varies significantly. Symptoms may appear within hours or days after consuming contaminated food, but can also take weeks or up to three months to manifest.
Consumer Actions
Customers who purchased affected products should:
- Stop consumption immediately
- Discard products or return to purchase location
- Seek full refund from place of purchase
- Contact Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) for questions
Medical attention is recommended for anyone experiencing fever and other listeriosis symptoms after consuming possibly contaminated food. Inform healthcare providers about potential exposure to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment.
The recall specifically excludes other Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head products not listed in the contamination notice.
Key Takeaways
- 20-state recall affects multiple cheese brands under single manufacturer
- Listeria contamination creates potentially fatal health risks
- Class I recall indicates highest safety priority
- Vulnerable populations face greatest danger from exposure
- Consumer vigilance essential for product identification and disposal
