BANDON, OR (November 14, 2025) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Face Rock Creamery LLC is voluntarily recalling 16 units of 6-ounce Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese with a use-by date of 11/04/26. The product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after an environmental sample identified the presence of Listeria in the processing area where this cheese was packaged.
The agency confirmed that Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The company said finished product has not tested positive for any contaminants.
Face Rock Creamery recall: quick summary
Face Rock Creamery LLC of Bandon, Oregon, is recalling 6-ounce units of Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese with a use-by date of 11/04/26 due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The FDA environmental sample detected Listeria in the processing area where the cheese was packaged. Approximately 16 units were sold exclusively at the Face Rock Flagship store located at 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon between November 10 at 3:30 PM PT and November 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM PT. No illnesses have been reported, and finished product has not tested positive for contaminants. Customers who purchased the affected product should destroy it or return it to the retail location for a full refund.
Official recall details
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Recall date: November 14, 2025
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Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Company: Face Rock Creamery LLC
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Product: Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese
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Issue: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
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Product details: 6-ounce blocks, UPC 8 512222 00547 8, use-by date 11/04/26
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Where sold: Face Rock Flagship store, 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon
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Consumer instructions: Destroy the product or return it to the retail location for a full refund
What happened?
The FDA said Face Rock Creamery LLC initiated the recall after an FDA environmental sample identified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the processing area where the Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar was packaged. The company told regulators it discovered the issue through FDA environmental testing. The recall was announced on November 14, 2025.
According to the FDA notice, the affected Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar blocks with a use-by date of 11/04/26 were sold exclusively at Face Rock Flagship store located at 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon. Approximately 16 units were sold between November 10 at 3:30 PM PT and November 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM PT.
The FDA stated in its recall alert that
“Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”
The agency also noted that “listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”
The company emphasized that finished product has not tested positive for any contaminants. The recall is precautionary based on environmental sampling rather than positive product testing.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best by date | Issue | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Face Rock Creamery | Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar | 6 oz | 8 512222 00547 8 | 11/04/26 | Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination | Face Rock Flagship store, Bandon, OR |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA notice, the recall was initiated because FDA environmental sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in the processing area where the cheese was packaged. The agency confirmed that while the processing environment tested positive, the finished cheese product itself has not tested positive for contaminants.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Young children, frail or elderly people, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. Symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women face particular risks as Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
Questions you might have
- What should I do if I purchased this cheese? Destroy the product or return it to Face Rock Flagship store at 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon for a full refund.
- How can I identify if I have the recalled product? Check for Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese in 6-ounce blocks with UPC 8 512222 00547 8 and use-by date 11/04/26.
- What are the symptoms of Listeria exposure? Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women, children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems face higher risks.
- Where was this product sold? The cheese was sold exclusively at Face Rock Flagship store located at 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon.
- Has anyone gotten sick from this cheese? No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
- Did the finished cheese test positive for Listeria? No, the finished product has not tested positive for any contaminants. The recall is based on environmental sampling in the processing area.
- When was the cheese sold? Approximately 16 units were sold between November 10 at 3:30 PM PT and November 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM PT.
- How do I contact Face Rock Creamery? Call 541-347-3223 between 9 AM and 4 PM PT, Monday through Friday, or email [email protected].
- What is Listeria monocytogenes? Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Should I be concerned if I already ate the cheese? If you consumed the cheese and develop symptoms such as fever, headache, stiffness, or gastrointestinal issues, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Here’s what you should do
Do not consume the recalled product.
What to do immediately:
- Check your refrigerator for Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese with UPC 8 512222 00547 8 and use-by date 11/04/26
- Destroy the product or return it to Face Rock Flagship store at 680 2nd St. SE, Bandon, Oregon for a full refund
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces or utensils that came into contact with the cheese
- If you have consumed the product and develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider
Questions? Customers can contact Face Rock Creamery at 541-347-3223 between 9 AM and 4 PM PT, Monday through Friday, or email [email protected].
Behind the brand
Face Rock Creamery LLC is a specialty cheese producer based in Bandon, Oregon. The company operates a flagship retail store at 680 2nd St. SE in Bandon. Face Rock Creamery produces artisan cheeses including the Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar variety.
The recall notice states that Face Rock Creamery “remains committed to the highest standards of food safety and transparency” and is “actively working with regulatory authorities and have taken immediate steps to ensure the integrity of our production environment.” Source86 reached out to Face Rock Creamery LLC for additional details on corrective actions, but has not yet received a response.
Other relevant recalls
Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said that while the Face Rock Creamery recall highlights environmental contamination detected through preventive sampling, it also underscores a broader truth in the specialty cheese industry:
“Food safety isn’t just about finished product testing. Environmental monitoring programs are critical for detecting potential contamination before it reaches consumers. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain rigorous sanitation protocols, comprehensive testing programs, and supplier accountability in artisan food production.”
Ensuring safe eats
This recall demonstrates the importance of environmental monitoring programs in specialty food production facilities. While the finished cheese product did not test positive for Listeria, the detection of the pathogen in the processing environment prompted a precautionary recall. This proactive approach protects consumers while highlighting the critical role of facility sanitation and environmental testing in preventing contamination.
For consumers who purchased Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese between November 10 and November 13, the guidance is clear: destroy the product or return it to Face Rock Flagship store for a refund. Even though finished product testing was negative, the potential for contamination based on environmental findings warrants caution.
Specialty cheese manufacturers must implement comprehensive environmental monitoring programs that include regular testing of processing areas, equipment surfaces, and packaging zones. Listeria can persist in food production environments, particularly in hard-to-clean areas. Preventing environmental contamination requires validated sanitation procedures, proper facility design, and ongoing verification through environmental sampling.
At Source86, we support specialty cheese producers and artisan food manufacturers with supplier verification programs, environmental monitoring protocols, and quality assurance systems. Our approach includes connecting manufacturers with sanitation experts, testing laboratories, and co-packing partners who prioritize food safety. Contact us!
