Roomies, if you’ve been stocking up on cheese lately, you might want to take a closer look at what’s in your fridge. A nationwide recall of multiple cheese products has just been upgraded to the FDA’s highest risk category, sending shockwaves through kitchens and grocery aisles alike. Turns out, the bacteria lurking in some of these cheeses is no joke. And, the update is serious enough to make anyone think twice before grabbing a snack.

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Listeria Recall Upgraded: High-Risk Cheese Could Be Deadly

The Food and Drug Administration confirmed in a Jan. 6 report that the recall is now Class I, meaning there’s a “reasonable probability” that exposure to the product could lead to serious health issues or even death. The culprit? Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria known to cause listeria—a disease especially dangerous for pregnant people, young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system. While no illnesses linked to this recall have been confirmed yet, experts warn that the risks are very real.

Cheese Recall Expands: Contaminated Products Sold Nationwide

The original recall was issued back on Nov. 25, 2025, after The Ambriola Company’s routine testing at their New Jersey facility found traces of the bacteria. Four of the eight recalled products were sold directly to consumers. Meanwhile, the other four were sold by the pound for restaurants and large-scale cooking. Even healthy adults aren’t completely off the hook—symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

For those at higher risk, the stakes are even more serious. Pregnant people could face miscarriage, while older adults and immunocompromised individuals may experience severe illness or death. The FDA urges anyone who may have purchased the affected cheese to throw it out immediately or return it to the place of purchase. And honestly? This isn’t the kind of drama anyone wants in the middle of a snack run.

Another Cheese Recall Hits Stores Nationwide

This isn’t the first cheese recall hitting grocery store shelves lately. A recent one from Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co., which began in October, affected over one million bags of shredded cheese sold at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Aldi, and Publix across 31 states and Puerto Rico. While the bulk of the recall involved nearly 236,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, Italian-style and pizza-style shredded cheese blends—including mixes with provolone, parmesan, asiago, and mozzarella—were also on the list, and the FDA warned that consuming the products could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues.

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