Pecorino Romano Cheese Listeria Monocytogenes Lawsuit Lawyers

Cheese Recalled Nationwide for Listeria Contamination: What You Must Know and Your Legal Options

In late 2025, federal regulators and an imported cheese distributor issued one of the largest food safety recalls in recent memory after several varieties of grated Pecorino Romano cheese tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous foodborne bacterium. The recalls affected products distributed across more than a dozen states and included items with future expiration dates, meaning they may still be in people’s refrigerators and pantries.

This recall carries a Class I designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most serious classification the agency assigns. A Class I recall signals that exposure to the product can lead to serious adverse health consequences, including death. Infections with Listeria can cause fever, flu‑like symptoms, neurological effects such as confusion and loss of balance, and, in severe cases, intestinal illness and seizures. While anyone can become infected, pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of severe outcomes.

For consumers who suffered Listeria infection after eating contaminated cheese, there may be legal rights to compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and related losses. This article explains the scope of the recall, the health hazards involved, who is most at risk of serious infection, and how consumers harmed by contaminated food may pursue legal remedies.

Scope of the Cheese Recall: Products, Distribution, and Lot Numbers

The recall stems from products imported and distributed by a major Italian cheese importer and distributor based in New Jersey. At the end of November 2025, the company initiated recalls for seven distinct products containing grated Pecorino Romano cheese after positive Listeria test results. While the recall announcement occurred in late November, the FDA issued formal recall classifications in December.

The affected products spanned different brands and packaging sizes. Because their expiration dates extend into 2026, they may remain in consumer homes and commercial kitchens, increasing the potential for continued exposure.

Affected Products and Details

The recalled items include:

1. Pecorino Romano Grated Cheese in 1.5 lb Plastic Bags

• Sam’s Pecorino Romano
• Lot numbers: 1000570107, 1000570766, 1000572513
• Total recalled: 1,015 bags

2. 10‑Pound Bags of Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano

• Lot number: 1000572486
• Total recalled: 45 bags

3. 5‑Pound Bags of Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano

• Lot numbers: 1000570093, 1000570738
• Total recalled: 405 bags

4. 6 oz Cups of Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano

• Lot number: 1000572486
• Total recalled: 2,106 units

5. Ambriola Piccante Grated Pecorino Romano

• 5 and 10‑pound bag sizes
• Lot numbers: 1000572981, 1000570737, 1000570092, 1000572487
• Total recalled: 179 bags

6. Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano (48/8 oz Shippers)

• Lot numbers: 1000570750, 1000572499, 1000572514
• Total recalled: 184 units

7. Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano in 5 and 10‑Pound Bags

• Lot numbers: many spanning multiple codes
• Total recalled: 964 bags

8. Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano in 4 oz and 8 oz Plastic Containers

• Multiple lot numbers
• Total recalled: 6,632 units

Geographic Distribution of Recalled Cheese

The recalled cheese products were distributed widely across the United States, including but not limited to:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Consumers in these states should check their homes for the listed products and lot numbers.

What Listeria Is and Why It Is Dangerous

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate foods, particularly dairy products, deli meats, and otherwise ready‑to‑eat items. Unlike many bacteria that are killed by heat or refrigeration, Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures and is exceptionally resilient in various food processing environments.

Infections occur when a person consumes food contaminated with the bacterium. The resulting illness, listeriosis, can range from mild symptoms in healthy individuals to serious systemic illness in vulnerable populations.

Common Symptoms of Listeriosis

Symptoms usually appear within days to weeks after consuming contaminated food and may include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Seizures

In serious cases, Listeria can invade the nervous system, leading to meningitis, encephalitis, or sepsis—life‑threatening conditions that require immediate medical intervention.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can develop listeriosis, certain groups are particularly vulnerable:

• Pregnant women: Infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life‑threatening infection in the newborn.
• Newborn infants: Immature immune systems struggle to control systemic infection.
• Adults over age 65: Age‑related immune decline increases risk of severe disease.
• People with weakened immune systems: Individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or on immunosuppressive medications are at significantly higher risk.

Because the disease can be severe and unpredictable, the FDA classifies contaminated food items associated with Listeriaas a Class I recall, meaning that serious health outcomes, including death, are possible.

How the Recall Was Identified and Classified

The recall process typically begins when Listeria contamination is discovered through food safety testing by the distributor, manufacturer, or a regulatory agency. In this case, the importer initiated recalls after testing showed Listeria in several imported cheese products.

The FDA then reviews sampling and test results. Based on the health risks associated with confirmed contamination and potential for severe illness, the agency assigned a Class I recall status.

Understanding a Class I Recall

A Class I recall is issued when there is reasonable probability that using or being exposed to the product will cause serious health consequences or death. This is the most urgent recall classification and often leads to aggressive public warnings and consumer advisories.

Class I recalls typically prompt:

• Immediate discontinuation of sale and distribution
• Public notifications via press releases and regulatory websites
• Instructions for consumers to dispose of or return products
• Guidance on how to identify affected lot numbers

Because of the severity of risks associated with Listeria, products in this category demand careful attention.

Health Effects of Listeria and Potential Complications

Listeria infection can manifest in several ways, and the severity often depends on the individual’s health status.

Typical Illness in Healthy Adults

In otherwise healthy individuals, listeriosis may cause symptoms similar to influenza or common food poisoning, such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and require medical care, but they may not pose life‑threatening danger in all cases.

However, because Listeria can affect the central nervous system, healthy adults may still develop more serious complications like meningitis or encephalitis, albeit less frequently.

Serious Illness in Vulnerable Populations

In high‑risk groups, Listeria infection can lead to severe systemic disease, including:

• Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
• Sepsis: A life‑threatening immune response to infection
• Stillbirth or neonatal infection: When occurring in pregnant women
• Long‑term neurological damage: Resulting from central nervous system involvement

These outcomes often require hospitalization, long courses of antibiotics, and supportive care in intensive care settings.

Delayed Onset and Misdiagnosis Risks

Symptoms of listeriosis can take days to weeks to appear after consumption, potentially delaying diagnosis. Because early symptoms resemble common illnesses, healthcare providers may miss the connection to a contaminated food item unless the patient mentions recent consumption of recalled products.

Timely diagnosis is essential, especially for high‑risk individuals, because early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can prevent progression to life‑threatening complications.

Legal Rights of Consumers Harmed by Listeria Contaminated Cheese

When a defective or contaminated food product causes injury, consumers may pursue legal action against the entities responsible for distributing unsafe food. Product liability law allows injured parties to seek compensation for harm caused by defective products, including contaminated food.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Potentially responsible parties can include:

• Importers and distributors who introduced contaminated products into the supply chain
• Manufacturers involved in packaging or processing
• Retailers who sold contaminated products without adequate warnings
• Entities that failed to detect or prevent contamination during production or distribution

A successful claim requires demonstrating that a contaminated product caused the claimant’s injury, and that the responsible party failed to uphold safety standards that a reasonable business would follow.

Types of Compensation That May Be Available

Victims of Listeria infection may be eligible for financial recovery for:

• Medical expenses: Hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medications
• Lost income: Wages lost due to illness, recovery, or long‑term disability
• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, trauma, and lifestyle impact
• Long‑term care costs: For complications requiring ongoing medical support
• Wrongful death damages: When Listeria infection results in loss of life

The value of a claim depends on the severity of injury, medical costs incurred, impact on quality of life, and other factors.

Steps to Take After Suspected Listeria Illness from Recalled Cheese

If you suspect that a recalled cheese product caused illness, certain actions can protect your legal rights and support a potential claim:

1. Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Prompt medical evaluation is essential. Tell your healthcare provider about your recent consumption of recalled products and any symptoms you are experiencing.

2. Preserve Evidence

Keep any remaining packaging, cheese containers, receipts, lot numbers, and photos. This information is crucial to link your illness to the specific recalled product.

3. Document Symptoms and Treatment

Maintain thorough records of symptoms, clinical diagnoses, lab results, medications prescribed, and all medical visits. Documentation strengthens the connection between exposure and illness.

4. Save Communication Records

Keep any correspondence with retailers, manufacturers, or health departments related to the recall or your illness.

5. Consult a Product Injury Attorney

An attorney experienced in foodborne illness claims can assess your case, explain legal options, and guide you through recovery of compensation.

Cheese Listeria Lawsuit FAQ Section

What foods are involved in the current recall?
Recalled items include several grated Pecorino Romano cheese products, including brands packaged in bags and cups weighing from 4 ounces to 10 pounds, distributed nationwide. Each product is identified by specific lot numbers.

What is Listeria and why is it dangerous?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate food and cause listeriosis. It can grow at refrigerator temperatures and cause serious illness, especially in high‑risk individuals.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Severe cases can lead to meningitis, sepsis, or complications in pregnant women and newborns.

Who is most at risk of serious illness?
Pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant recipients or those with chronic health conditions, face the highest risk of severe outcomes.

Can I get compensated if I ate the cheese but didn’t get sick?
Compensation is typically available only if ingestion caused actual illness or injury. Mild exposure without symptoms usually does not form the basis for a legal claim.

What should I do if I experience symptoms after eating recalled cheese?
Seek medical care immediately. Inform the healthcare provider that you consumed a recalled product and document your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

How do I know if I have a legal claim?
If a doctor diagnoses listeriosis and links it to consumption of a recalled cheese product, you may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.

Is there a time limit to file a claim?
Yes. Each state has a statute of limitations that limits how long you can file a lawsuit after an injury. An attorney can advise you on deadlines in your state.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If you or a family member became ill after consuming recalled grated cheese contaminated with Listeria, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm serving clients across the United States who were harmed by dangerous or contaminated products. There are no upfront legal fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call 1‑800‑YOUR‑LAWYER (1‑800‑968‑7529) today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and begin pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the impact this illness has had on your life. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.