Boar’s Head faces another serious recall crisis as the FDA issues its most severe warning for cheese products potentially contaminated with deadly listeria, just months after the company’s previous outbreak killed 10 Americans.
Story Snapshot
- FDA issues Class I recall for Boar’s Head cheese products due to potential Listeria contamination.
- Latest recall follows deadly 2024 outbreak that killed 10 people and hospitalized dozens more.
- The company paid millions in settlements, including $4 million to a Long Island widow.
- Government inspectors previously found disgusting conditions, including mold, insects, and meat residue, at facilities.
Another Deadly Recall Rocks Boar’s Head
Ambriola Company issued a recall Monday for pecorino Romano cheese products supplied to Boar’s Head, affecting items sold at Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana.
The recall encompasses Boar’s Head grated pecorino Romano cheese and FS grated Romano cheese with sell-by dates from November 21, 2025, through March 12, 2026.
The FDA classified this as a Class I recall, the most serious designation, indicating potential for “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Boar’s Head responded by recalling all products using Ambriola Company ingredients “in an abundance of caution,” including pre-cut pecorino Romano and grab-and-go chicken Caesar salads and wraps.
This precautionary approach reflects the company’s attempt to prevent another catastrophic health crisis. The decision demonstrates awareness that their reputation hangs by a thread after last year’s devastating outbreak.
Boar’s Head products recalled AGAIN after possible listeria contamination hits cheeses https://t.co/zqY8nRFsMm pic.twitter.com/3K5umpIM1U
— New York Post (@nypost) November 25, 2025
Deadly 2024 Outbreak Exposed Corporate Negligence
The current recall resurrects memories of Boar’s Head’s July 2024 listeria outbreak, which stemmed from its Virginia plant. That crisis resulted in over 7 million pounds of recalled meat, 10 deaths, and dozens of hospitalizations from serious illnesses.
Government inspectors discovered appalling, unsanitary conditions at multiple facilities, including meat and fat residue coating equipment and walls, dripping condensation contaminating food, widespread mold, and insects throughout processing areas.
Robert Hamilton, a 73-year-old Long Island resident, exemplified the human cost of corporate negligence.
After eating a Boar’s Head sandwich, Hamilton developed stomach pains, diarrhea, and fever, leading to his hospitalization at Nassau University Medical Center. He died six days later, prompting his widow to receive a $4 million settlement from the company’s extensive payout program.
Corporate Damage Control Through Secret Settlements
Boar’s Head has quietly distributed millions in “hush-hush” settlements to victims’ families, attempting to minimize public scrutiny while avoiding prolonged litigation.
These confidential agreements reflect a calculated strategy to contain reputational damage rather than to address systemic food safety failures transparently.
The company’s decision to reopen its Virginia facility in August, despite the facility’s role in the deadly outbreak, raises questions about its genuine commitment to safety reforms.
Listeriosis poses severe risks to vulnerable populations, including older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to potentially fatal complications like convulsions, miscarriages, and stillbirths.
The FDA reports no illnesses linked to the current recall, but urges consumers to immediately discard any questionable products rather than risk exposure to this potentially deadly bacterium.
