Trader Joe’s issues urgent recall of “Vampire Slayer” cheese curds in California and Nevada that could contain potentially deadly Listeria bacteria, as the popular grocery chain faces its sixth product recall of 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Face Rock Creamery’s Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds with Use By date 082925 are being recalled due to potential Listeria contamination
- The affected products were distributed in Northern California, parts of the Central Valley, Central Coast, and Northern Nevada
- Listeria can cause severe illness or death, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems
- Customers should discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s store for a full refund
- This marks Trader Joe’s sixth product recall in 2025, raising concerns about the company’s quality control measures
Dangerous Bacteria Found in Popular Cheese Product
Trader Joe’s has announced the recall of Face Rock Creamery’s Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected products are specifically those labeled with the Use By date 082925, sold in 6-ounce clear sealed plastic cups with UPC 8 51222 00528 7. The recall impacts products distributed throughout Northern California, parts of the Central Valley and Central Coast, and Northern Nevada regions. The contaminated batches have been identified with lot numbers 20250519VS01 and 20250519VS02.
“Trader Joe’s has recalled a food item throughout Northern and Central California and northern Nevada due to potential listeria contamination, the company announced,” stated byTrader Joe’s.
While no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall as of the latest update, the potential health risks associated with Listeria are severe. The recall highlights growing concerns about food safety at the popular grocery chain, which has now experienced its sixth product recall in 2025 alone. Previous recalls have involved issues ranging from undeclared allergens to plastic contamination and defective packaging.
Serious Health Risks from Listeria Contamination
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection with potentially life-threatening consequences for vulnerable populations. The FDA warns that while healthy individuals might experience relatively mild symptoms, the bacteria poses a particular danger to specific groups. Pregnant women, newborns, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems face the highest risk of severe complications or death from listeria infection.
“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” stated by FDA.
Symptoms of Listeria infection typically include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, particularly among vulnerable populations, the infection can spread to the nervous system, causing confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The particularly concerning aspect of Listeria is its ability to cross the placental barrier in pregnant women, potentially resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Mounting Quality Control Concerns at Trader Joe’s
This latest recall adds to a growing pattern of food safety incidents at Trader Joe’s, raising legitimate questions about the company’s quality control procedures and supplier oversight. The chain has now issued six recalls in 2025 alone, an alarming frequency that suggests potential systemic issues within their supply chain management. A recent Fast Company investigation highlighted Trader Joe’s recall history alongside alleged workplace issues, further damaging the retailer’s reputation for quality and safety.
Adding to these concerns, Trader Joe’s was recently placed in the “Toxic Hall of Shame” by the organization Toxic-Free Future for allegedly failing to adequately protect customers from toxic chemicals and plastics in their products. This designation raises additional questions about the company’s commitment to consumer safety beyond just foodborne pathogens. For conservative consumers who value personal responsibility and accountability from businesses, these recurring safety issues represent a troubling pattern that demands greater transparency and corrective action.
What Affected Customers Should Do
Customers who have purchased Face Rock Creamery’s Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds with the affected Use By date should not consume the product under any circumstances. Trader Joe’s advises customers to either discard the product immediately or return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. Those with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Trader Joe’s customer relations team directly for additional information. The company is required to maintain detailed records of recalled products, making it possible to track whether all contaminated items have been successfully removed from circulation.
While no illnesses have been reported in connection with this specific recall, the potential severity of Listeria infection warrants taking this warning seriously. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of robust food safety regulations and business accountability in protecting public health. As President Trump has consistently emphasized throughout his administration, American consumers deserve products that meet the highest safety standards, and companies must be held accountable when those standards are not met.
