Popular grated cheese brands from new jersey recalled after listeria found

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. – The Ambriola Company has issued a nationwide recall of several grated cheese products sold under multiple brand names after routine testing detected Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially dangerous foodborne pathogen, the company announced.

The recall, announced December 3, 2025, and published January 15, 2026, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), includes select lots of Ambriola, Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, and Pinna branded grated Pecorino Romano cheeses distributed to retailers and distributors across the United States between November 3 and November 20, 2025.

Listeria infection can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. It can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Healthy individuals may experience fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

No illnesses have been reported to date, but Ambriola said it initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”

The affected products include:

Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated 4 oz. cup – Exp. 05/03/26, 05/10/26, 05/17/26
Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 8 oz. cup – Exp. 04/06/26, 04/11/26, 04/12/26, 04/15/26, 04/17/26 (floor display) and 05/05/26 through 05/17/26 (regular stock)
Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano 6 oz. cup – Exp. 03/04/26, 03/12/26
Member’s Mark Grated Pecorino Romano 1.5 lb. bag – Exp. 03/25/26, 03/30/26, 04/05/26
Bulk products (various brands) – Locatelli, Ambriola, Pinna, and Boar’s Head grated Pecorino Romano with expiration dates from 02/28/26 through 03/13/26

Ambriola said the contamination was identified during routine quality testing at its West Caldwell, New Jersey, production facility. The company has since suspended production and distribution of the affected products and is conducting a full review of sanitation and safety protocols.

“We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves,” said CEO Phil Marfuggi. “We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.”

Consumers who purchased the recalled cheeses should not eat them and are advised to discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers seeking additional information can contact Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

Ambriola recalled select grated cheeses under its Ambriola, Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, and Pinna brands after detecting possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses have been reported.

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