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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a nationwide cheese recall initiated by West Caldwell-based Ambriola Co. due to listeria concerns to its highest-risk category.

As of Jan. 6, regulators elevated the Italian importer’s recall to a Class I. According to the FDA, that classification is reserved for items that have a “reasonable probability” of causing “serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Ambriola launched the recall in November 2025, after routine testing confirmed the presence of listeria. Out of an abundance of caution, the company flagged additional cheese products processed at the same facility in West Caldwell.

As a result, the company said it recalled more than 11,500 units of grated Pecorino Romano cheese sold across 20 states. That includes New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, according to the company.

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

According to officials, there have been no reports of confirmed illnesses linked to the recall.

Impacted products were sent to retailers and distributors between Nov. 3, 2025, and Nov. 20, 2025. All have expiration dates through May 2026, Ambriola said.

Items included in the recall are:

• Ambriola
  • Piccante grated Pecorino Romano: 5- and 10-pound plastic bags
  • Lot numbers:
    • 1000572981
    • 1000570737
    • 1000570092
    • 1000572487
• Boar’s Head
  • Grated Pecorino Romano: 6-ounce plastic cup & lid, 12 units per case
    • Lot number: 1000572486
  • Pecorino Romano Grated: 5-pound plastic bag
    • Lot numbers:
      • 1000570093
      • 1000570738
• Locatelli
  • Grated Pecorino Romano: 4-ounce and 8-ounce plastic cup & lid, 12 units per case
    • Lot numbers:
      • 1000572472
      • 1000570734
      • 1000570735
      • 1000570736
      • 1000572482
      • 1000572483
      • 1000572485
  • Grated Pecorino Romano: 5- and 10-pound plastic bags
    • Lot numbers:
      • 1000570725
      • 1000572476
      • 1000570724
      • 1000572475
      • 1000570726
      • 1000570727
      • 1000572477
  • Grated Pecorino Romano: 48/8-ounce shipper, plastic cup & lid, 48 units per case
    • Lot numbers:
      • 1000570750
      • 1000572499
      • 1000572514
• Pinna
  • Grated Pecorino Romano 2/10, 10-pound plastic bags
    • Lot number: 1000572486
• Sam’s
  • Pecorino Romano: grated, 1.5-pound plastic bags, 12 units per case
    • Lot numbers:
      • 1000570107
      • 1000570766
      • 1000572513