Face Rock Creamery Recalls Products Over Listeria Risk

Recall Date Issued: June 20, 2025
Announced by: U.S. FDA on June 21, 2025
Company Name: Face Rock Creamery
Product Name: Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds
Reason for Recall: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Product Details: 6 oz cups, Use By date 08292025, UPC 8 51222 00528 7
Where It Was Sold: Trader Joe’s in Northern California and Northern Nevada
What To Do: Don’t eat it! Return it to Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

Stick around to find out what makes this recall extra cheesy (and not in a good way).

What Happened?

On June 20, 2025, Oregon-based Face Rock Creamery voluntarily recalled its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds after internal routine testing flagged the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can lead to serious illness—particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.

The 6 oz. cups of cheesy goodness (or not-so-goodness, in this case) were sold at Trader Joe’s locations across Northern California (Monterey, Fresno, and all areas north) and Northern Nevada (Carson City, Reno, Sparks).

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best By	Issue
Face Rock Creamery	Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds	6 oz	8 51222 00528 7	08/29/2025	Listeria contamination

What Caused the Issue?

The recall was triggered when Face Rock Creamery conducted a routine sampling of finished products, a common internal food safety protocol. These proactive checks are designed to catch contamination before products make their way into consumers’ homes—and this time, they worked.

What’s the culprit?

The sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium that thrives in cool, moist environments—like the inside of a sealed cheese cup. Listeria contamination typically occurs:

During post-processing when equipment or surfaces are not properly sanitized
From contaminated raw ingredients or packaging materials
Or through cross-contamination during production or packaging

In this case, the company has not specified exactly where the failure occurred, but they’re actively investigating alongside the FDA and Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Who’s most at risk?

Listeria monocytogenes can affect anyone, but some groups are particularly vulnerable:

Pregnant individuals (risk of miscarriage or stillbirth)
Newborns and young children
Elderly adults
People with weakened immune systems (cancer patients, transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive therapy)

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can appear within 1 to 4 weeks of exposure (though sometimes as late as 70 days). Common symptoms include:

Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Confusion or balance issues (in severe cases)

In healthy adults, symptoms may resemble mild food poisoning—but for high-risk individuals, Listeria can be life-threatening.

10 Common Customer Questions You Might Have

Q: Is it safe to eat these curds if they smell and look fine?
A: No. Listeria contamination isn’t detectable by smell, taste, or appearance.
Q: What exactly is Listeria?
A: It’s a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable people.
Q: I already ate some—what should I do?
A: Monitor for symptoms like fever, nausea, or headaches. If symptoms appear, seek medical help.
Q: Can I cook the curds to make them safe?
A: No. The product is not designed to be cooked, and heating may not fully eliminate the risk.
Q: Are other Face Rock products affected?
A: Only the two lots listed are currently affected. Always double-check the UPC and Use By date.
Q: What should I do with the product?
A: Return it to Trader Joe’s for a refund. Do not consume or compost it.
Q: Can my pet eat it?
A: No. Listeria can affect animals, too—avoid feeding it to pets.
Q: How does Listeria get into cheese?
A: It can be introduced during processing, packaging, or from contaminated ingredients.
Q: Is this why I’ve been sick?
A: If you recently consumed the recalled product and are experiencing symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.
Q: Will the company fix this?
A: Face Rock Creamery is investigating the issue and working with regulatory agencies to prevent future incidents.

Here’s What You Should Do

Face Rock Creamery Product Name Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds

If you bought Face Rock’s Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds, here’s how to handle it:

DO NOT consume the product—even if it smells like garlic heaven.
Look for the UPC 8 51222 00528 7, and Use By date: 08292025
Check for Lot #s: 20250519VS01 and 20250519VS02
Return the product to Trader Joe’s for a full refund
Questions? Reach out to Face Rock’s Customer Care Team:
[email protected]
Business Hours: 8AM – 5PM PST

Behind the Brand

Based in Bandon, Oregon, Face Rock Creamery is known for its bold, flavorful cheeses—and this isn’t their first brush with a recall. While this current situation stems from internal testing (a good sign that their systems are working), Listeria recalls have popped up frequently in 2025, reminding us that even artisan creameries need robust safety systems.

Similar recent recalls:

On June 17, 2025, FreshRealm recalled its Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo products after FSIS linked them to a multi-state Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.
On June 11, 2025, Hofood99 Inc. recalled its 200g Enoki Mushrooms after discovering Listeria monocytogenes in a sample collected in Michigan.
On June 10, 2025, Bornstein Seafoods Inc. voluntarily recalled 44,550 pounds of its Ready-to-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat after a routine in-process test detected Listeria monocytogenes in the production environment.
On May 17, 2025, Bourgeois Smokehouse voluntarily recalled approximately 100 pounds of its ready-to-eat smoked andouille sausage after routine FSIS testing revealed contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
On May 10, 2025, FSIS issued a public health alert (not a recall, technically) for ready-to-eat Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps produced by Rachael’s Food Corporation. The issue? Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne bacteria that definitely doesn’t belong in your lunch.

“All it takes is a single compromised batch to set off a full-scale recall. It’s a clear reminder of why strong traceability, rigorous safety protocols, and open supplier communication aren’t optional—they’re essential.” said Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Ensuring Safe Eats

In an industry built on trust and taste, a recall like this is more than a hiccup—it’s a wake-up call. Listeria isn’t something to take lightly, and consumers are increasingly expecting transparency, traceability, and rigorous compliance from brands.

For manufacturers, importers, and private label brands, this is a reminder to double down on ingredient traceability, sanitation protocols, and proactive recall plans. And if you’re a bulk buyer or formulator, ask yourself: Are your suppliers ready to handle a recall the right way?

Quick Tip: If you have the recalled product, don’t toss it carelessly—return it properly and contact the brand.

Want to build a safer ingredient chain? Talk to our team at Source86 and explore our trusted, traceable ingredient sourcing solutions. Your next best-seller shouldn’t come with a side of risk.