Cheese Recall Hits Highest Danger Level After Listeria Discovery

Roomies, if you’ve been storing them cheese Lately, you may want to take a closer look at what’s in your refrigerator. A nationwide recall of several cheese products has been upgraded to the food and Drug Administration Highest risks category, sending shockwaves through kitchens and grocery aisles alike. It turns out that 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.

RELATED: Mac Weekies! Popular brands of shredded cheese have been pulled from shelves after an FDA warning

Listeria Recall Upgrade: High-Risk Cheese Could Be Deadly

The FDA confirmed in a January 6 report that the recall is now Class 1, meaning there is a “Reasonable possibility“Exposure to the product could lead to serious health problems or even death. The culprit? Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria known to cause listeriosis — an illness that is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system. While no illnesses linked to this recall have been confirmed yet, experts warn of the risks very TRUE.

Cheese recall expands: Contaminated products sold across the country

The original recall was issued back on November 25, 2025, after routine testing by Ambriola at its New Jersey facility found traces of bacteria. Four of the eight recalled products were sold directly to consumers. Meanwhile, the other four were sold by the pound to restaurants and large-scale cooking. Even healthy adults are not completely immune, as symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

For those most at risk, the risks are even more serious. Pregnant women can experience miscarriage, while the elderly and immunocompromised individuals may experience severe illness or death. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urges anyone who has purchased the affected cheese to throw it away immediately or return it to the place of purchase. And honestly? This is not the kind of drama anyone wants in the middle of a snack.

Another cheese recall is hitting stores across the country

This isn’t the first time a cheese recall has been on grocery store shelves recently. A recent case from Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co., which began in October, affected more than 1 million bags of shredded cheese sold at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Aldi and Publix across 31 states and Puerto Rico. While the bulk of the recall involved nearly 236,000 cases of partially reduced-fat mozzarella, Italian-style and pizza-style shredded cheese blends — including blends 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 problems.

RELATED: Say what?! High Noon is recalling vodka-seltzer drinks that were mistakenly labeled as Celsius energy drinks