If you bought cheese curds recently – especially through Amazon or Trader Joe’s – you’ll want to check your fridge.
A nationwide recall has just been issued on fan-favorite Face Rock Creamery Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds, and customers are being told not to eat them under any circumstances.
Here are the details…
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The cheese in question? The Face Rock Creamery ‘Vampire Slayer’ Garlic Cheddar Curds, which are actually one of the company’s most popular and best-selling varieties.
This is one of those products I’d probably grab without thinking – anything with garlic, really.
They come in 6oz. clear plastic cups with lids, sold at Trader Joes and through some Amazon sellers.
The company announced the recall on June 20, 2025.
The product has a Universal Product Code of 8 51222 00528 7 and the two specific affected lot numbers are 20250519VS01 and 20250519VS02.
You can also check the Use By Date of 08/29/2025.
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So, what happened?
During routine testing, Listeria showed up in the cheese curds – not good. This bacteria can be dangerous, especially for kids, seniors, pregnant women, and anyone with a weaker immune system.
The company notified the U.S. FDA and Oregon Department of Agriculture officials. That’s when the recall kicked in, with the FDA announcing he recall on June 21, 2025.
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The cheese curds were distributed at Trader Joe’s locations in Northern California (including Fresno, Monterey, and all locations north) and Northern Nevada (Carson City, Reno, and Sparks).
Listings also appeared on Amazon via third-party sellers.
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For most healthy people, Listeria might just mean a rough few days – fever, nausea, stomach cramps. But for pregnant people, newborns, seniors, and anyone with a weaker immune system? It can be deadly.
The CDC says Listeria infects around 1,600 people in the U.S. each year – way less than salmonella – but it causes about 260 deaths, so it’s taken very seriously.
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So far, no one has been reported sick, which is a good sign.
Either the company was quick to act and the recall came just in time, or maybe someone did get sick… and just didn’t realize it was the cheese (or never reported it)…
But that doesn’t mean the product is safe to eat. Health officials warn consumers not to take any chances.
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If you have this cheese in your fridge, do not eat it.
Return it to the place you purchased it for a full refund.
If you have any questions, you can also contact Face Rock Creamery at info@facerockcreamery.com during business hours (8AM–5PM PST).
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To their credit, Face Rock Creamery didn’t wait — they pulled the product voluntarily and got the FDA and state officials involved fast.
They’ve apologized for the hassle and thanked customers for sticking with them.
What caused the problem? They’re still figuring that out. The investigation’s ongoing.
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• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
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While the cheese curds were mostly sold in stores, some did show up on Amazon.
In a grocery store, recall notices are posted where shoppers can see them. But with third-party sellers listing grocery items on Amazon, you might never know there’s a problem.
So use this as a reminder to be extra careful when ordering food items online, and if you recently ordered curds from Amazon, double-check the product details.
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If you didn’t buy cheese curds from Trader Joe’s in Northern CA/NV or a third-party seller on Amazon, you’re likely in the clear.
But take a second: think about what you’ve eaten lately and where it came from.
And hey, if you did eat the curds and feel off, don’t wait it out. Talk to your doctor.
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Here’s a quick summary:
Product: Face Rock Creamery Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds (6oz.)
UPC: 8 51222 00528 7
Use By: 08/29/2025
Recall Issued: June 20, 2025
Sold At: Trader Joe’s (Northern CA/NV), Amazon (3rd-party sellers)
Why: Potential Listeria contamination
What to Do: Don’t eat it. Return it or contact info@facerockcreamery.com
Check your fridge. Spread the word. And tell us – have you ever had a close call with a recalled product? Drop it in the comments!
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