FDA Recall: 260 Boxes Of Cheese Hit With Nation’s Highest Risk Level

Last week, I opened my fridge to grab some cheese for a quick snack, only to discover the brand I’d just bought was on a major recall list!

The FDA has issued its highest-risk Class I recall for 260 boxes of Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds sold at Trader Joe’s.

This recall comes after testing found dangerous Listeria bacteria in the product, posing serious health risks especially to pregnant women, elderly folks, and people with weakened immune systems.

1. The Cheesy Culprit: What’s Being Recalled

The Cheesy Culprit: What's Being Recalled
© Amazon.com

Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds might sound harmless (and delicious!), but they’re causing quite the stir in food safety circles. These particular cheese curds come in 6-ounce sealed plastic cups and were distributed to stores across Northern California and Nevada.

The affected products bear specific lot numbers: 20250519VS01 and 20250519VS02, with a Use By date of August 29, 2025. When I first heard about the recall, I immediately checked my own refrigerator—thankfully, mine was from a different batch!

Manufactured by Face Rock Creamery, these contaminated curds represent a total of 260 cases, with each case containing 12 individual cups of cheese.

2. Listeria: The Invisible Threat

Listeria: The Invisible Threat
© Food Safety News

Listeria monocytogenes is one sneaky bacterial villain. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, this crafty microbe can actually thrive in refrigerator temperatures, making your fridge potentially less safe than you’d think.

My cousin works in food safety and always warns me about Listeria’s particularly dangerous nature. For healthy adults, symptoms might include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues – uncomfortable, but usually not life-threatening.

The real danger lurks for vulnerable populations. Pregnant women risk miscarriage or stillbirth, while elderly people and those with compromised immune systems might develop serious, potentially fatal infections like meningitis or septicemia. This explains why the FDA classified this as a Class I recall – their most serious category.

3. Distribution Map: Where The Cheese Landed

Distribution Map: Where The Cheese Landed
© facerockcreamery

I was shocked to learn how widespread this contaminated cheese distribution actually was! The affected Vampire Slayer cheese made its way throughout Northern California, including popular shopping areas in Fresno and Monterey – places where I frequently visit family.

The recall’s reach extends beyond California’s borders into Northern Nevada, specifically targeting stores in Carson City, Reno, and Sparks. Face Rock Creamery has been working overtime to alert retailers in these regions.

Fortunately, the FDA’s tracking systems helped identify exactly which stores received the potentially dangerous product. The recall announcement came quickly after detection, preventing what could have been a much larger outbreak. Still, with 260 cases (containing 3,120 individual cheese cups) distributed, many consumers may have purchased the affected product.

4. Warning Signs: How To Know If You’re Sick

Warning Signs: How To Know If You're Sick
© WV News

Listeriosis symptoms can be tricky to identify! They often masquerade as common illnesses, which is exactly what happened to my neighbor last year after eating contaminated deli meat.

Watch for fever, muscle aches, and headaches – these typically appear 1-4 weeks after eating contaminated food. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea might also crash the party, though they’re less common symptoms.

The really concerning red flags show up when Listeria invades beyond the gut. Stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions signal the infection has reached the nervous system. Pregnant women might experience only mild symptoms, but the consequences for their unborn child can be severe. If you’ve eaten this cheese and develop any symptoms, don’t wait – contact your doctor immediately and mention the potential Listeria exposure.

5. Safety Steps: What To Do If You Have The Cheese

Safety Steps: What To Do If You Have The Cheese
© Reddit

Found this cheese lurking in your refrigerator? Don’t panic, but don’t taste it either!

Instead, seal the cheese in a plastic bag before tossing it in the trash, or better yet, return it to Trader Joe’s for a full refund. The store won’t hassle you about receipts for this serious recall.

Thoroughly clean your refrigerator with hot, soapy water after disposal. Listeria can live on surfaces and cross-contaminate other foods. Wash your hands rigorously after handling the product. For additional questions, Face Rock Creamery has established a recall hotline at their customer service center – they’re taking this situation very seriously.