Cheese Recall Update as FDA Issues Highest Risk Warning

By Matthew Robinson

US News Editor

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A recall of a cheese product due to potential exposure to Listeria monocytogenes has received the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Face Rock Creamery LLC issued a voluntary recall for a select amount of its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar on November 14 because it had the potential to be contaminated with listeria. The FDA issued a Class I risk classification for the recall on November 26.

Newsweek contacted Face Rock Creamery LLC for comment by email outside regular working hours.

Why It Matters

A Class I risk classification—one of three—represents "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the FDA.

The agency said in its recall notice that listeria could "cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."

It added: "Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."

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What To Know

The product affected by the recall is the Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar, which comes in a 6-ounce package and has a use-by date of November 4, 2026, and the UPC 8 512222 00547 8.

The FDA said the product was sold exclusively at the Face Rock Creamery store in Bandon, Oregon, between 3:30 p.m. on November 10 and 3:30 p.m. on November 13.

The recall was initiated after an FDA environmental sample detected listeria in the processing area where the cheese was packaged, the agency said. It added that none of the finished product tested positive for listeria.

"Face Rock Creamery LLC remains committed to the highest standards of food safety and transparency. We are actively working with regulatory authorities and have taken immediate steps to ensure the integrity of our production environment," the company said.

As of November 26, no illnesses had been reported by the FDA in connection with the consumption of the recalled product.

What People Are Saying

Face Rock Creamery told Newsweek earlier this month: "This precautionary recall applies only to 16 units sold from our Bandon retail location. No product has tested positive for any contamination. This action was initiated strictly out of an abundance of caution following an environmental swab result, and is not due to any product testing. At this time, NO other customers have not been impacted."

Face Rock Creamery said in the recall announcement: "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank our customers for their continued trust."

The Food and Drug Administration said on its website: "For the less severe, non-invasive listeriosis, mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur, and often persists for 1 to 3 days.

"For the more severe, life-threatening invasive form of the disease, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Invasive listeriosis is a potentially life-threatening event, especially for newborns, adults over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems."