Nationwide Cheese Recall Upgraded to Highest Hazard Level: Thousands of Products Affected
A massive cheese recall has taken a deadly turn, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now labeling it as one of its most hazardous product recalls. Initially announced in November, the recall of over 11,500 units of grated pecorino romano cheese products by Ambriola Company has been upgraded to a Class I recall, the FDA's highest numerical designation.
A Class I recall is defined as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." In this case, a bacterial contaminant, Listeria monocytogenes, was found in the affected cheese products. The FDA has warned consumers not to consume these products and instead advised them to dispose of them or return them for a full refund.
The affected brands and products include Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member's Mark (Sam's Club's private label brand), and Ambriola, which were distributed across 20 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.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall at this time. However, if symptoms of listeria infection such as fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea are experienced, consumers should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
The company behind the recall, Ambriola Company, has expressed its commitment to food safety, stating that it takes the situation "very seriously" and is working closely with the FDA to identify the cause of the contamination.
A massive cheese recall has taken a deadly turn, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now labeling it as one of its most hazardous product recalls. Initially announced in November, the recall of over 11,500 units of grated pecorino romano cheese products by Ambriola Company has been upgraded to a Class I recall, the FDA's highest numerical designation.
A Class I recall is defined as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." In this case, a bacterial contaminant, Listeria monocytogenes, was found in the affected cheese products. The FDA has warned consumers not to consume these products and instead advised them to dispose of them or return them for a full refund.
The affected brands and products include Locatelli, Pinna, Boar’s Head, Member's Mark (Sam's Club's private label brand), and Ambriola, which were distributed across 20 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.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall at this time. However, if symptoms of listeria infection such as fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea are experienced, consumers should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
The company behind the recall, Ambriola Company, has expressed its commitment to food safety, stating that it takes the situation "very seriously" and is working closely with the FDA to identify the cause of the contamination.