Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA Recall Guanciale Over Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON (September 6, 2026). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Prime Line Distributors, Inc. and Ferrarini USA, Inc. are recalling approximately 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork guanciale because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

According to FSIS, the products were produced in Italy and imported into the United States during July 2026. So far, there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled products.

Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA recall: quick summary

The recall covers various-weight packages of ready-to-eat dry-cured pork jowl, also known as guanciale. All affected products carry lot code 263311US, a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027, and establishment number IT 1937 L CE.

FSIS discovered the problem during routine import reinspection testing after a product sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Prime Line products reached Florida, while Ferrarini products were distributed to foodservice locations and distributors across eight states.

What happened?

According to the USDA FSIS notice, Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA recalled approximately 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat guanciale on September 6.

The dry-cured pork jowl was produced by Bome SRL in Italy on May 21 and imported into the United States in July. According to FSIS, routine import reinspection testing identified the problem after a product sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

In addition, the recalled products came from lot 263311US and carry a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027. Prime Line products reached foodservice and retail locations in Florida, while Ferrarini products were distributed to foodservice locations and distributors across eight states.

Meanwhile, FSIS expressed concern that some recalled products may remain in foodservice and retail refrigerators or freezers. So far, the agency has received no confirmed reports of illness associated with the products.

Affected products

Company/Brand	Product	Packaging	Lot	Best if used by	Establishment
Prime Line Distributors	Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy	Various-weight cases containing two individually vacuum-packed pieces	263311US	May 16, 2027	IT 1937 L CE
Prime Line Distributors	Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy, with additional “DOK GUANCIALE” label	Various-weight individually vacuum-packed packages	263311US	May 16, 2027	IT 1937 L CE
Ferrarini USA	Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy	Various-weight cases containing two individually vacuum-packed pieces	263311US	May 16, 2027	IT 1937 L CE
Ferrarini	Ferrarini Guanciale Dry-Cured Pork Jowl	Various-weight individually vacuum-packed packages	263311US	May 16, 2027	IT 1937 L CE

What caused the issue?

According to FSIS, routine import reinspection testing identified the food safety concern after a product sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. However, the agency did not provide additional details about how the contamination occurred.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. In particular, symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes following gastrointestinal symptoms.

For pregnant women, infection can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Therefore, FSIS advises people in higher-risk groups who develop flu-like symptoms within two months of eating potentially contaminated food to seek medical care and mention the possible exposure.

Food Safety insight

“A positive pathogen result during import reinspection is an important checkpoint for ready-to-eat foods because there may be no additional preparation step to reduce the hazard,” said Allyza Joyce Mercado, FSQA Manager at Source86.

“Importers should have procedures for holding affected product, reviewing testing information, and coordinating next steps with regulators and customers when a microbiological concern is identified.”

Here’s what you should do

Consumers, retailers, distributors, and foodservice operators with affected products should:

• Check guanciale packages for lot 263311US.
• Look for a May 16, 2027 best-if-used-by date.
• Check for establishment number IT 1937 L CE inside the Italian mark of inspection or on the case label.
• Do not sell or serve affected products.
• Throw recalled products away or return them to the place of purchase.
• Contact Prime Line’s Liliana Rojas at 954-925-4500 or [email protected] with questions about Prime Line products.
• Contact Ferrarini USA’s Luca Infantino at 818-256-1622 or [email protected] with questions about Ferrarini products.

Behind the brand

Prime Line Distributors is a family-owned specialty food importer and distributor founded in South Florida in 1981. The company offers imported cheeses, cured meats and charcuterie, olive oils, pasta, truffles, specialty grains, and other foods.

Today, Prime Line operates divisions in New York City, South and Central Florida, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. According to company information, its catalog includes more than 3,500 products.

Meanwhile, Ferrarini traces its history to 1956, when Lauro Ferrarini began producing cooked ham in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The company now offers Italian specialties including cooked and cured meats, salami, mortadella, and cheese, with Ferrarini USA serving the U.S. market.

Other relevant recalls

• Made Fresh Salads Recalls Deli Salads and Cream Cheese Over Possible Listeria Contamination
• Northwest Naturals Recalls Raw Pet Food Over Salmonella and Listeria
• Asian America Trading Recalls Fish Skin Products Over Import Eligibility Issue

Regulatory context

Beyond the immediate recall, this case highlights the role of import reinspection in identifying potential food safety hazards before imported meat products move further through U.S. commerce.

For importers and distributors, the incident also underscores the importance of lot-level traceability. In this case, one production lot moved through two U.S. companies and reached multiple states, making accurate receiving, inventory, and distribution records particularly important during a recall.

More broadly, importers, suppliers, Co-Manufacturers, Co-Packers, and Private Label brands can strengthen recall readiness through traceability, supplier oversight, documented receiving controls, and clear procedures for responding to regulatory testing results.

Ensuring safe eats

Ultimately, the Prime Line and Ferrarini recall shows why pathogen testing and traceability remain important safeguards for imported ready-to-eat foods. When a positive result emerges, accurate lot and distribution records can support a faster, more targeted response.

For now, consumers and food businesses should check guanciale against the affected lot, date, and establishment number. Any recalled product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

Meanwhile, Source86 supports food companies with bulk ingredient sourcing, supplier management, FSQA oversight, Private Label production, and supply chain management. Contact us to learn more about building safer and more transparent food operations.

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