Trader Joe’s has started a voluntary recall of one of its top-selling cheese items due to the fact that it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogenic bacteria that can lead to severe illness. The recall is specifically for certain Northern California and Northern Nevada locations, so customers need to check their refrigerators and act at once if they bought the recalled product.
The recalled product: Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds
Recalled products include Face Rock Creamery Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds. They are cheese curds packaged in 6-ounce plastic cups with an August 29, 2025 use-by date. The recalled products are products with the UPC code 8 51222 00528 7 and the following lot numbers: 20250519VS01 or 20250519VS02.
They are famous for their garlic cheddar taste, which has made the cheese curds one of Trader Joe’s store bestsellers. For possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, however, the company and Trader Joe’s issued a voluntary recall of this product to ensure customers’ health and well-being.
Geographic scope of the recall
The recall applies only to Trader Joe’s stores in the following geographic regions:
- Northern California: Monterey, Fresno, and everything north of these stores.
- Northern Nevada: Carson City, Reno, and Sparks.
No other Trader Joe’s stores or Face Rock Creamery products are included at this time.
Why the recall was initiated: Risk of listeria contamination
The recall followed regular testing by Face Rock Creamery, which detected Listeria monocytogenes in finished cheese curds. Listeria is a foodborne pathogenic bacterium that is life-threatening and causes listeriosis, an illness whose symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Though healthy people would most likely have minor symptoms that would recover in a matter of days, listeriosis kills vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. In pregnant women, infection with listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or delivery complications in the newborn.
To date, there have been no reports of illness related to this product, but the precautionary recall is being undertaken to eliminate any possible health hazard.
What consumers should do
Trader Joe’s is asking consumers who bought Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds with the noted lot numbers and use-by date to:
- Not eat the product.
- Discard the cheese or bring it back to any Trader Joe’s store for a full refund.\.
The firm also notified that clients with questions or concerns can call Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 or write through the firm’s product comment card on its website.
Trader Joe’s commitment to food safety
Trader Joe’s highlighted its rigorous food safety practices and continuous recall process. This recall is among a string of others released by the firm throughout 2025, including canned tuna recalls, allergens in cheeses, and package flaws.
The company is collaborating closely with Face Rock Creamery, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to define what caused the contamination and how they might avoid it in the future.
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