If you’ve bought a bag of grated or shredded cheese recently, you might want to check the label. A listeria contamination has triggered recalls across multiple brands in the U.S. and Canada, with regulators taking the rare step of classifying one as “Class I”—the highest risk level. Here’s what we know about the affected products, how to spot symptoms, and what authorities are doing about it.

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Recall date: December 3, 2025–January 8, 2026 ·
Affected brands: Ambriola, Sam’s Pecorino Romano, Bothwell, Goldstream ·
Contamination type: Listeria monocytogenes ·
Recall classification: Class I (FDA)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Ambriola Co. recalled select grated Pecorino Romano products after routine testing found Listeria monocytogenes (FDA recall notice)
  • FDA later upgraded the recall to Class I, its most serious classification (Good Morning America)
  • Products were distributed nationwide between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20, 2025 (FDA)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether any Aldi-branded cheeses are directly linked to the U.S. grated cheese recall (no official FDA mention)
  • Total number of illnesses in Canada associated with the same production chain
  • Exact production facility that supplied grated cheese to multiple brands
3Timeline signal
  • Dec. 3, 2025: initial recall by Ambriola (FDA)
  • Jan. 6, 2026: FDA upgrades recall to Class I (GMA)
  • Jan. 8, 2026: expanded recall announced for Sam’s Pecorino Romano; 12 illnesses reported (per news outlets) (FDA)
  • Apr. 2, 2026: CFIA recalls Bothwell and Goldstream products in Canada (FDA)
4What’s next
  • Consumers should check refrigerators for recalled product codes and dispose of any affected cheese immediately
  • Watch for symptoms of listeriosis (fever, muscle aches, nausea) and contact a doctor if pregnant or immunocompromised
  • Regulators may expand the recall further as investigations continue

Key facts at a glance

Seven recall events across two countries, all driven by Listeria monocytogenes in grated and shredded cheese. The pattern: a single contamination source likely spread through shared production lines.

Attribute Value
Recall start date December 3, 2025
Recall expansion date January 8, 2026
Total recalled products (US) 4+ (varies by lot)
Recalled products (Canada) 5 (Bothwell, Goldstream, etc.)
Known illnesses (US, initial) 0 reported at time of first recall (FDA)
Recall classification Class I (FDA) (GMA)
Regulatory authority FDA (U.S.), CFIA (Canada)

Which brands of cheese are affected in this recall?

Ambriola grated cheese products

  • The Ambriola Company recalled eight Pecorino Romano products, including those sold under Locatelli, Boar’s Head, Member’s Mark, Pinna, and Ambriola labels (FDA recall notice).
  • Distribution dates: November 3–20, 2025, nationwide in the U.S.
  • Both retail packages (grated 6–16 oz) and larger foodservice bags were included (Good Morning America).

Sam’s Pecorino Romano shredded

  • Sam’s Club sold 1.5-lb bags of shredded Pecorino Romano that were recalled in early January 2026.
  • The recall was reported by multiple news outlets, including Fox59 and AOL, and the FDA enforcement report number H-0370-2026 covers this product (Ophthalmology Advisor).

Bothwell & Goldstream shredded blends

  • In Canada, the CFIA issued recalls for Bothwell shredded three‑cheese blend and Goldstream shredded cheddar products in April 2026.
  • These recalls involve different lot numbers but occurred after the U.S. grated cheese recall, suggesting possible ingredient supply chain links.
The upshot

Consumers face the real risk that a single contaminated batch of grated Pecorino Romano has been repackaged under multiple brand names. The Class I designation means even small amounts can cause severe illness.

The implication: the same production line likely cross-contaminated multiple labels, so every brand linked to Ambriola’s facility should be treated as suspect.

What are the first signs of listeriosis?

Symptoms timeline

  • Fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea are the most common early symptoms (FDA).
  • Incubation period ranges from one to four weeks after consuming contaminated food.
  • More severe forms (listeriosis) can progress to meningitis, septicemia, or pregnancy complications.

High-risk groups

  • Pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.
  • For pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn infection.
Why this matters

If you or a family member are in a high-risk category and develop fever within a month after eating recalled cheese, immediate medical evaluation is critical. Antibiotics can prevent severe complications.

What this means: early symptom recognition can be the difference between a mild infection and life-threatening sepsis.

Has Aldi cheese been recalled, and which products?

Aldi store brand recalls

  • As of the latest FDA and CFIA records, no Aldi‑branded cheese products appear on the official recall lists for the grated cheese listeria outbreak in the United States.
  • However, Aldi sells shredded cheese under its store brand, and some products are supplied by manufacturers also linked to recalled brands—this remains an area of uncertainty.

Recalled cheese types at Aldi

  • In Canada, Aldi stores are not present, but the CFIA recalls affect retailers that may overlap with discount grocers.
  • Consumers should check the detailed recall notices on the FDA and CFIA websites for specific store brand listings.

The data gap: without an official FDA mention, Aldi shoppers should verify their cheese against lot codes from the broader recall database.

How is the grated cheese recall being handled by regulators?

FDA Class I classification

  • The FDA upgraded the Ambriola recall to Class I on January 6, 2026, meaning consumption could cause serious adverse health consequences or death (Good Morning America).

CFIA recall details

  • Health Canada’s CFIA published separate recall notices in April 2026 for Bothwell and Goldstream shredded cheese products (Food Safety News).
  • The Canadian recall is classified as Class II (moderate risk) for some products, but the same organism is involved.

Expansion of recall in January 2026

  • On January 8, 2026, the FDA’s enforcement report (No. H‑0370‑2026) expanded the recall to include additional lot codes (Ophthalmology Advisor).
  • Thirteen states were reported to have received the recalled products.
The trade-off

Regulators moved quickly to escalate the recall classification, but the cross‑border nature means consumers must monitor both FDA and CFIA notices—a manual task that not everyone can do.

The catch: until a unified alert system exists, individuals bear the burden of checking two separate databases.

What kills Listeria in the body?

Antibiotic treatment

  • For severe cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics such as ampicillin and gentamicin (FDA guidelines on serious foodborne illness).
  • Prompt treatment reduces the risk of complications like meningitis and sepsis.

When to see a doctor

  • If you develop fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or confusion after eating recalled cheese, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Pregnant women with even mild fever should consult their obstetrics provider.

Prevention measures

  • The best protection is to discard any recalled cheese and thoroughly clean refrigerator surfaces that may have contacted the product.
  • Listeria can survive at refrigerator temperatures; only cooking at temperatures above 165°F (73.9°C) kills the bacteria (FDA food safety advice).
Bottom line: The grated cheese recall is a serious, multi‑country food safety event. U.S. consumers should immediately dispose of any Ambriola or Sam’s branded grated/shredded Pecorino Romano with sell‑by dates in late 2025. Canadian shoppers should check Bothwell and Goldstream products. High‑risk groups: see a doctor at the first sign of fever.

Consequence for consumers: failure to act could turn a kitchen staple into a health emergency, especially for pregnant or immunocompromised individuals.

“The FDA classified this recall as Class I because there is a reasonable probability that consumption could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

— FDA Recall Notice (FDA)

“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling various cheese products due to possible listeria contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products.”

— CFIA Alert (via Food Safety News)

The pattern across these recalls is consistent: a contamination source—likely at a shared production facility—spread through multiple brands and borders. For consumers, the implication is clear: check your fridge, know the symptoms, and act quickly if you fall into a high‑risk group.

Additional sources

reddit.com, foodsafetynews.com, allrecipes.com, instagram.com, healthline.com, fda.gov, youtube.com, fda.gov, my.clevelandclinic.org

For a detailed list of affected brands and regulatory actions, see recent Canadian cheese recalls due to listeria.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Class I recall mean?

A Class I recall means there is a reasonable probability that using the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The FDA uses this classification for the most dangerous food contaminants.

How long can Listeria survive on cheese?

Listeria monocytogenes can survive and even grow at refrigerator temperatures (40°F/4°C or below). It can persist for weeks or months on cheese surfaces if not properly cleaned.

Can cooking kill Listeria in cheese?

Yes, heating cheese to an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) will kill Listeria. However, grated cheese is often used as a finishing touch (not cooked thoroughly), so cooking may not always be reliable.

Is all grated cheese at risk?

No, only specific lots from the brands listed in the FDA and CFIA recall notices are at risk. Most grated cheese products on store shelves are not affected. Always check the product code against official recall lists.

How do I check if my cheese is part of the recall?

Look for the brand name, product description, lot code or best‑by date printed on the package. Compare it with the list on the FDA and CFIA recall pages linked in this article. When in doubt, throw it out—cheese is not expensive enough to risk illness.

What should I do with recalled cheese in my fridge?

Dispose of it immediately in a sealed bag to prevent cross‑contamination. Wash your hands, and clean refrigerator shelves and drawers with hot soapy water or a bleach solution.

Is listeriosis dangerous during pregnancy?

Yes. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, or life‑threatening newborn infection. Pregnant women should avoid all recalled cheese and consult a doctor at the first sign of fever.

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