Full Breakdown
Ambriola Company Issues Nationwide Cheese Recall Due to Listeria Risk
11/28/2025, 5:31:48 AM
Overview of the Recall
On November 25, 2025, the Ambriola Company announced a recall of several cheese products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and pregnant women. The recall was prompted by routine testing that confirmed the presence of Listeria in products processed at the company's facility in West Caldwell, New Jersey. The affected products were distributed nationwide between November 3 and November 20, 2025.
Affected Products
The recall includes various cheese products sold under several brand names, including Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, and Boar’s Head. Specific items recalled include:
- Locatelli Pecorino Romano Grated (4 oz. and 8 oz. cups with expiration dates ranging from May 3, 2026, to May 17, 2026)
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano (6 oz. cup with sell-by dates from March 4, 2026, to March 12, 2026)
- Member’s Mark Pecorino Romano (1.5 lb. bag with expiration dates from March 25, 2026, to April 5, 2026)
- Additional grated products sold by the pound with various expiration dates.
Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Official Statements & Responses
Phil Marfuggi, CEO of Ambriola, stated, “We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves.” The company has suspended production and distribution of the affected products while conducting a thorough review of sanitation and food safety procedures.
Boar’s Head, which sources cheese from Ambriola, also took precautionary measures by halting purchases and notifying retail partners to ensure the removal of affected products from distribution. They emphasized that this incident was isolated to Ambriola's products and that no other Boar’s Head items were impacted.
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In pregnant women, listeriosis can result in miscarriages or stillbirths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1,600 people contract listeria food poisoning each year, with around 260 fatalities.
Criticism & Opposition
The recall comes in the wake of a significant listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head in 2024, which resulted in ten deaths and nearly 60 hospitalizations. Following that incident, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented stricter food safety inspections, particularly concerning listeria. Reports indicated ongoing violations at the Boar’s Head plant in Virginia, raising concerns about the company's food safety practices.
What's Next
Ambriola is working closely with the FDA to investigate the contamination and ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The company is also conducting further testing of its products and facilities to prevent future incidents. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any symptoms of listeria infection to healthcare providers.
