FDA upgrades Pecorino cheese recall to Class I in Texas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration upgraded a nationwide recall of grated Pecorino Romano cheese produced by Ambriola Company to a Class I recall on January 12, 2026, after laboratory testing detected Listeria monocytogenes. Class I is the agency’s most serious recall level, used when there is a reasonable probability that consuming the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The recalled products include grated Pecorino Romano sold under several brand names and in multiple package sizes that were distributed to major retailers nationwide, including H-E-B, Walmart and Target locations in Texas. The agency’s recall notice lists affected product types and lot numbers; consumers should check the lot numbers on packaging before consuming or serving any grated Pecorino Romano they purchased recently. At the time of the recall, no confirmed illnesses had been linked to the Ambriola recall.

Listeria infection, or listeriosis, can cause fever, muscle aches and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Invasive infections can progress to sepsis or meningitis. Pregnant people are at particular risk; infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in newborns. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also more vulnerable to severe outcomes.

For Harris County residents, the immediate public health action is straightforward: check packages of grated Pecorino Romano for the listed brands and lot numbers, and follow the FDA guidance to discard or return affected products to the place of purchase. Retailers typically remove recalled products from store shelves and offer refunds or exchanges. People who believe they may have consumed an affected product and who develop symptoms should contact their health care provider promptly. Local clinics and hospitals serving pregnant people and immunocompromised patients should be aware of the recall and prioritize testing and care when listeriosis is suspected.

The recall underscores broader public health and equity concerns. Listeria can survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures, making ready-to-eat and prepackaged cheeses a persistent risk when contamination occurs. Communities with limited access to multiple grocery options or reliable transportation may face greater burdens when popular brands are pulled from shelves. Language barriers and uneven access to timely recall notices can also leave older adults and non-English-speaking households less protected.

State and federal regulators will continue the investigation into how Listeria entered Ambriola’s production and whether additional products are affected. Meanwhile, Harris County residents should check their refrigerators and pantries, follow disposal or return instructions, and seek medical care if symptoms develop. Public health officials will monitor for any illnesses tied to the recalled cheese and update guidance as new information becomes available.