An Oregon company is recalling a cheese product because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Face Rock Creamery LLC issued a voluntary recall on November 14 for a select amount of its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar.
Why It Matters
The recall announcement, published on the Food and Drug Administration’s website, said listeria can 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.”
What To Know
The product affected by the recall is the Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar, which 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 found Listeria monocytogenes in the processing area where this cheese was packaged. The finished cheese product has not tested positive for any contaminants, the FDA said.
“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 14, no illnesses had been reported by the FDA in connection with the consumption of the recalled cheese.
What People Are Saying
Face Rock Creamery told Newsweek: “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.”
Mary O’Riordan, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, previously told Newsweek: “Listeria has an unusual capacity to grow at refrigerated temperatures. Although the bacterium can contaminate many types of food, cheeses or deli meats that are kept in cold storage for long periods in stores or at home are a place where listeria can keep growing.
“Early symptoms of listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne infections, including fever, diarrhea and vomiting, so it’s often not diagnosed right away. Unfortunately, sometimes listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis. In those cases, if people experience headache, stiff neck or confusion, they should seek urgent medical attention.”
Haley F. Oliver, a professor of food science at Purdue University, previously told Newsweek: “Listeria monocytogenes is a common microorganism that can be found in the natural environment, for example, in soil. There are many factors that determine if someone gets listeriosis—a listeria infection. In most instances, an immunocompromised person—so young, old, pregnant or otherwise immunocompromised—must eat contaminated food.
“The number of bacteria resulting in infection and the amount of time before illness varies considerably. Symptoms vary among people but can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.
Customers who purchased the affected product are urged to destroy it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Update 05.50 a.m. ET 11/18/25: This article was updated with a statement from Face Rock Creamery.
