At a Glance
- Ambriola’s November pecorino recall now carries the FDA’s most serious Class I label
- 20 states received cheeses from Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark and Ambriola
- Listeria can cause fatal infections in seniors, pregnant people and the immunocompromised
- Why it matters: Consumers who still have the cheese at home could face life-threatening illness
The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a pecorino Romano cheese recall to its most serious classification, warning that eating the contaminated products could cause death. The move, announced January 6, ratchets up urgency around a recall first issued by supplier Ambriola Company on November 24.
What Changed and When
The FDA uses three recall classes to signal health hazard levels. Class I-the new designation-means “a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Although the agency published the initial recall and the Class I status in November, the formal reclassification hit federal databases on January 6, nearly two months after the first notice.
Which Cheeses Are Affected
All recalled units are grated pecorino Romano sold under five brand names:
- Locatelli – 4-oz. and 8-oz. cups plus 5-lb. and 10-lb. bags
- Pinna – 10-lb. bags
- Boar’s Head – 6-oz. cups and 5-lb. bags
- Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club store brand) – 1.5-lb. bags
- Ambriola – 5-lb. and 10-lb. bags
Specific Lot Numbers to Check
Locatelli cups: 1000572472, 1000570734, 1000570735, 1000570736, 1000572482, 1000572483, 1000572485, 1000570750, 1000572499, 1000572514
Locatelli bags: 1000570725, 1000572476, 1000570724, 1000572475, 1000570726, 1000570727, 1000572477
Pinna bags: 1000572486
Member’s Mark bags: 1000570107, 1000570766, 1000572513
Boar’s Head cups: 1000572486
Boar’s Head bags: 1000570093, 1000570738
Ambriola bags: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487
Where the Cheese Was Sold
Distribution stretched to 20 states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
Products reached both grocery shoppers and restaurant suppliers; some packages were consumer-size while others were bulk formats meant for food-service use.
Health Risks From Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes can trigger listeriosis, an illness whose symptoms include headaches, fever, muscle aches, confusion and diarrhea. The USDA stresses that adults over 65, pregnant individuals and anyone with a weakened immune system face the greatest danger and could develop fatal infections.
Company Response
Ambriola Company did not reply to a request for comment from News Of Losangeles.
What Consumers Should Do
- Check freezers and refrigerators for any of the listed lot numbers
- Discard or return the product to the place of purchase
- Clean shelves and drawers with hot soapy water to avoid cross-contamination
- Seek medical care if symptoms develop within 70 days of eating the cheese
Key Takeaways
The FDA’s Class I reclassification signals a life-threatening contamination risk. With cheese sold under multiple familiar brands and shipped nationwide, consumers in every affected state should verify lot numbers immediately. Prompt disposal or return could prevent serious illness or death, particularly for high-risk groups.
