TL;DR:

• FDA elevated a Pecorino Romano recall to Class I on Jan 7, 2026.
• Brands include Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, Ambriola, and Pinna.
• Products were sold across 20 U.S. states, with sell-by dates into 2026.
• No illnesses were confirmed in FDA notices at time of publication.
• Do not eat recalled cheese. Throw it away or return it for a refund.

On January 7, 2026, the FDA classified a grated Pecorino Romano cheese recall as Class I, its most serious level. This means eating the product could cause serious harm or death. The update covers thousands of units distributed in late 2025 and still in homes.

The recall traces back to Ambriola Company, a U.S. importer and supplier. Routine testing detected Listeria monocytogenes in select grated Pecorino Romano products. Initial company notices were posted in late November 2025. Retailers later echoed the alert.

Which brands and items

Media summaries and retailer notices list several affected brands and formats. Check any grated Pecorino Romano from these lines, especially cups, bags, food-service bags, or cheese sold by the pound.

• Locatelli, grated cups in 4 ounce and 8 ounce sizes, and cheese sold by the pound.
• Boar’s Head, 6 ounce cups and 5 pound bags.
• Member’s Mark, 1.5 pound bags.
• Ambriola, grated cheese sold by the pound.
• Pinna, grated 10 pound bags and cheese sold by the pound.

Some sell-by or expiration dates run into March through May 2026. This increases the chance that unopened tubs or bags are still in kitchens. Save time by checking date codes before opening.

Where the products were sold

Coverage points to distribution across 20 U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Retailers in earlier notices included Wegmans and warehouse clubs.

Why this recall is serious

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis. Symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Risk is higher for pregnant people, older adults, and those with weak immunity. A Class I designation signals a reasonable chance of serious health effects.

What to do right now

If you have any grated Pecorino Romano from the brands above, use this checklist.

Quick checklist

1. Stop use. Do not eat the cheese.
2. Isolate and bag the product to avoid cross contact.
3. Check labels for brand, pack size, and date codes through spring 2026.
4. Dispose or return it for a refund per store policy.
5. Clean your fridge shelves, drawers, and tools with hot, soapy water, then a disinfectant.
6. Watch for symptoms for up to 70 days after possible exposure, and contact a clinician if they appear.

At-a-glance: affected items and date windows

Brand	Item format	Date window noted
Locatelli	4 oz and 8 oz grated cups, by-pound	Apr 6, 2026 to May 17, 2026 sell-by ranges
Boar’s Head	6 oz cups, 5 lb bags	Mar 4, 2026 to Mar 12, 2026 sell-by ranges
Member’s Mark	1.5 lb bags	Mar 25, 2026 to Apr 5, 2026 sell-by ranges
Ambriola	Grated, sold by the pound	Feb 28, 2026 to Mar 11, 2026 sell-by ranges
Pinna	10 lb bags, by-pound	Mar 11, 2026 sell-by noted
Ranges compiled from recent media summaries. Confirm against package labels and retailer notices.

How this affects you

If you live in the listed states and buy Italian specialty cheese, check any grated Pecorino Romano you purchased since November 2025. These items have long shelf lives and may still be in your fridge or freezer. The safest step is to discard or return any match.

Background and timeline

• November 24–26, 2025. Supplier and retailer notices begin. Boar’s Head supplier support and Wegmans publish recall posts referencing possible Listeria in grated Pecorino Romano from Ambriola. No illnesses were reported in those notices.
• December 2025. Local health departments and trade press amplify the recall, noting affected brands and nationwide distribution to retailers and distributors between November 3 and November 20, 2025.
• January 7–9, 2026. News outlets report that FDA categorized the recall as Class I. Articles list brands, states, and 2026 sell-by windows.

What happens next

Ambriola and retail partners are investigating sources of contamination and supporting product testing. Expect more store-specific notices as inventory checks finish. If new lots or geographies are added, media and retailer pages will update.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming hard cheeses are always safe. Grated and repacked formats raise risk due to handling and surface area.
• Only checking one brand. Several labels share a supplier network. Check all grated Pecorino Romano on hand.
• Skipping the fridge clean. Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures. Clean shelves and containers after removal.

Health guidance

Healthy adults may only have mild symptoms. High risk groups should be extra cautious. If you ate recalled cheese and develop fever, muscle aches, or gastrointestinal symptoms, contact a clinician. Tell them you may have been exposed to Listeria between November 2025 and today, January 9, 2026.

Why it matters

Class I recalls are rare for cheese. The long date codes and wide distribution raise the chance of exposure. Quick checks help prevent severe illness in high risk groups.

Article schema suggestion

• headline: Cheese recall: FDA flags Pecorino Romano as Class I risk
• datePublished: 2026-01-09
• dateModified: 2026-01-09
• author: ClubRive
• publisher: ClubRive
• image: Feature image described below

Sources:

• Newsweek, “FDA Issues Most Serious Risk Level for Cheese Recall,” https://www.newsweek.com/fda-risk-level-cheese-recall-listeria-11322347, Jan 7, 2026.
• The Independent, “Popular specialty cheese brands recalled nationwide under highest risk warning over listeria contamination,” https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/cheese-recall-ambriola-boars-head-listeria-b2897247.html, Jan 9, 2026.

FDA, “The Ambriola Company Issues Recall of Cheese Products Because of Listeria Health Risk,” https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ambriola-company-issues-recall-cheese-products-because-listeria-health-risk, Nov 26, 2025.