As Californians prepare for Thanksgiving, a major cheese recall is underway, and health officials warn it could pose a serious risk of illness or even death. Select Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano cheeses — a popular grated Italian cheese often used on salads, pastas, and holiday dishes — are being removed from store shelves due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful foodborne bacteria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What cheese is being recalled
The recall focuses on Pecorino Romano cheese produced by Ambriola Company, a supplier that manufactures select products for Boar’s Head. Federal regulators have classified it as a Class I recall — the most serious level — indicating a reasonable chance that consuming the cheese could lead to severe health issues or even death, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
According to the FDA and several consumer alerts, the following Boar’s Head products are included in the recall: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese, 6 oz
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- Item code: 858
- UPC: 0-42421-05858 (often printed as 042421-05858)
- Sell-by dates: Nov. 21, 2025 through March 12, 2026
- FS Grated Romano Cheese (food-service bags)
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- Item code: 15119
- UPC: 042421-15119
- Sell-by dates: Nov. 21, 2025 through March 12, 2026
- Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano Cheese, 7 oz pre-cut wedge
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- Item code: 15160
- UPC: 042421-15160
- Sell-by dates: Nov. 25, 2025 through May 11, 2026
- This wedge is being withdrawn by Boar’s Head out of caution, even though it is not the product that initially tested positive. Food & Wine
The cheese has been sold at retailers throughout the United States, and Boar’s Head says it has already alerted stores to pull the affected products from shelves nationwide. Food & Wine
A San Francisco–area advisory released Wednesday morning specifically warned California shoppers about the recall just days before Thanksgiving. Patch
If you picked up grated or wedge Pecorino Romano for your holiday recipes, especially under the Boar’s Head label, you should pause and check the packaging immediately.
Why Listeria in cheese is such a big deal
The pathogen driving this recall is Listeria monocytogenes, a resilient bacteria that experts say can be potentially deadly, especially for higher-risk groups. Good Housekeeping
Health and food safety experts highlight several important points about Listeria:
- It thrives at refrigerator temperatures, so keeping food cold won’t stop it from growing.
- It is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness–related deaths in the U.S., causing more than 1,200 infections and about 170 deaths each year.
- It poses the highest risk to:
- Adults 65 and older
- Pregnant people and their unborn babies
- Individuals with weakened immune systems
- Very young children
Symptoms can appear within hours, but in some cases may take days or even weeks to develop. They may include:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
- Flu-like symptoms and muscle aches
- Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures in severe cases
In pregnant people, listeriosis may trigger only mild symptoms but can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening infection in newborns, according to public health agencies.
What California shoppers should do right now
Although no illnesses have been linked to this cheese recall yet, it has been assigned the highest risk classification, and health officials are urging consumers not to take any chances.
Here’s what they recommend:
- Check all Boar’s Head Pecorino Romano products in your refrigerator.
- Look closely at the brand name, item description, UPC, and sell-by date.
- If it matches any recalled or withdrawn items, do not eat it.
- Throw it away in a sealed bag, or return it to the store if refunds are available.
- Clean any surfaces the cheese may have touched.
- Disinfect refrigerator shelves, drawers, cutting boards, and utensils that came into contact with the cheese, since Listeria can survive in cold, damp areas. FoodSafety.gov
- Check prepared foods that may include this cheese. Some pre-made products, such as Boar’s Head EverRoast Chicken Caesar salads and wraps, have also been recalled because they contain the affected Pecorino Romano.
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