Cheese curds recalled from Trader Joe’s after sample tests show listeria

By David J. Neal June 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM

Two lots of cheese curds have been recalled from Trader Joe’s stores after random sample testing turned up listeria in some finished product.

Manufacturer Face Rock Creamery’s recall notice said the Oregon company did the testing itself on its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds. Listeria infects about 1,600 people in the United States each year, barely 1/100th of salmonella, but listeria kills about 260, according to the CDC.

This covers 6-ounce plastic cups with lot Nos. 20250519VS01 and 20250519VS02, and a Use By date of “08292025.”

Now, the relatively good news: The curds went only to Trader Joe’s in Northern California, including Fresno, and Nevada cities Reno, Carson City and Sparks. If you have recalled curds, return them to the store for a refund or at least throw them deep into the garbage, then wash and sanitize any surface or utensil that touched them.

For questions, contact the company’s Customer Care team through email at info@facerockcreamery.com. The best time is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern.

David J. Neal

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Aaron Moody is a sports and general reporter for the News & Observer. Here is a second sentence for the bio because it will probably be longer than this. Maybe even longer I don't know. Support my work with a digital subscription

This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM