Two major food recalls tied to potentially deadly foodborne illnesses have been dominating food industry headlines of late.
The first recall is tied to a select batch of better-for-you chocolate bars that may be contaminated with Salmonella, while the second involves pecorino romano cheese products that are potentially contaminated with Listeria.
1. Spring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bars
The Spring & Mulberry brand recently recalled select batches of its Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bars due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The products have been available to purchase online via select retailers since mid-September.
The recalled product can be identified by brand name (Spring & Mulberry), box color (teal), flavor name (Mint Leaf), and lot code (#025255). The lot code is listed on the back of the packaging and inner flow wrap.
While there have been no reported illnesses to date, Spring & Mulberry is recalling the specific lot in which this risk applies to protect public health, as the potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by a third-party laboratory.
Customers who have purchased the affected product are asked to dispose of it and may request a refund by contacting Spring & Mulberry at recalls@springandmulberry.com with a photo of the lot code.
2. Ambriola Company Pecorino Romano Cheese Products
Thousands of containers of cheese have also been recalled from stores nationwide due to the risk of Listeria contamination.
The pecorino romano cheese products were sold in 20 states to distributors and retail locations, including Sam’s Club, as reported by USA Today.
Routine testing of the cheese, which was produced by the Ambriola Company, uncovered the potential contamination at a processing plant in West Caldwell, New Jersey, before the initial recall was published on Nov. 25, 2025.
The affected cheese products were reportedly sold between November 3 and November 20 and have expiration dates through May 2026.
The FDA updated the status of the recall on January 6 to Class I, which means that there’s a “reasonable probability” that the use of, or exposure to, the product could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The affected products include:
- Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano 4-oz. and 8-oz. plastic cups
- Grated Pecorino Romano, 5-lb. and 10-lb. plastic bags
- Grated Pecorino Romano 48/8-oz. Shipper, packaged in plastic cups
- Pinna Grated Pecorino Romano 2/10, 10-lb. plastic bags
- Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano, 6-oz. plastic cups
- Pecorino Romano Grated, 5-lb. plastic bags
- Sam’s Pecorino Romano grated, 1.5-lb. plastic bags
- Ambriola Piccante grated Pecorino Romano, 5-lb. and 10-lb. plastic bags
- Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club brand) Pecorino Romano 1.5-lb. bags
Customers who have affected cheese products at home are encouraged to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can call Ambriola at 1 (800) 962-8224.
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