Cheese recall increased to highest severity level due to deadly bacteria presence

On January 6, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated the severity level of a nationwide cheese recall to Class 1, their most serious level, after a deadly bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes  was found in various cheese products. These products, from West Caldwell, New Jersey, were distributed across the country throughout November, including to Indiana, and they can be found in stores such as Sam’s Club.

The severity of Class 1 is defined as, “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,” according to the FDA.

Affected brands and products include:

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

Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano: 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.

Recall No. H-0368-2026.

Lot numbers: 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, 1000572477

Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano: 10-pound plastic bags (two per case).

Recall No. H-0369-2026.

Lot number: 1000572486

Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano: 6-ounce plastic cups with lids (12 units per case).

Recall No. H-0370-2026

Lot number: 1000572486

Products sold by the pound include:

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

Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Grated: 5-pound plastic bags.

Recall No. H-0372-2026

Lot numbers: 1000570093, 1000570738

Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano: 5- and 10-pound plastic bags.

Recall No. H-0373-2026

Lot numbers: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487

Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano: 8-ounce plastic cups with lids (48 units per case).

Recall No. H-0374-2026

Lot numbers: 1000570750, 1000572499, 1000572514

According to the FDA, Listeria  is “an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria  infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

Additional symptoms of Listeria  infection include confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.

No illnesses have been reported to date. However, if you have consumed the above products and believe you have symptoms of Listeria infection, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.