Prime Line Distributors, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Ferrarini USA, Inc. (Hoboken, New Jersey) are recalling approximately 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork guanciale due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Guanciale is a dry-cured Italian pork jowl used in pasta dishes and other Italian cooking.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall on September 6, 2026.
Which Products Are Affected?
| Product | Lot Number | Best-If-Used-By | Establishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Line Distributors Guanciale Pork Jowl / Ferrarini Guanciale Dry-Cured Pork Jowl | 263311US | May 16, 2027 | IT 1937 L CE |
The recalled items are sold as various weight cardboard cases containing two individually vacuum-packed pieces, and as various weight individually vacuum-packed pieces. Both Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA labels are covered.
The product was produced at Est. 1937L Bome SRL in Italy on May 21, 2026 and imported to the U.S. on various dates during July 2026.
Why Was It Recalled?
Listeria monocytogenes was detected during routine import reinspection testing at the port of entry when a product sample tested positive.
Listeria can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. FSIS says listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. FSIS advises that people in the higher-risk categories who develop flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the provider what they ate.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products as of the announcement date.
What Should Consumers Do?
FSIS says it is concerned that some products may be in food service and retail refrigerators and freezers, and that food service and retail locations are urged not to serve or sell these products.
- Do not eat the recalled guanciale.
- Check the packaging for lot number 263311US with best-by date May 16, 2027.
- If you ate cured Italian pork in one of the affected states after July, see the symptom guidance above.
Refund, Replacement or Repair Information
FSIS says the recalled products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. The recall notice does not describe a refund, a claim process, or whether a receipt is required.
For questions about Ferrarini USA products, FSIS lists Luca Infantino, Chief Financial Officer, at 818-256-1622.
Contact information for Prime Line Distributors products is listed in the FSIS recall notice linked below.
Where Was It Sold?
Prime Line Distributors products were distributed to food service and retail locations in Florida only.
Ferrarini USA products were distributed to food service, retail, and distributor locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.
If You Already Ate the Guanciale
FSIS says anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. It advises people in the higher-risk categories to tell the provider about eating the contaminated food.
If you still have the package or a receipt, keep it.
How to Report a Problem
FSIS directs consumers with food safety questions about meat, poultry and egg products to the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854, or by email at [email protected].
To report a problem with a food product, use the reporting link on the FSIS recall notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my package shows a different lot number or best-by date?
If your package shows different information, it is not part of this recall.
How long can listeria symptoms take to appear?
CDC says symptoms usually begin one to four weeks after eating contaminated food but can start as late as 70 days after exposure. This lot was imported in July, so anyone who ate it in late August could still develop symptoms into early November.
What is the difference between Prime Line and Ferrarini products?
Both companies are recalling the same product lot from the same Italian producer. The difference is only in the distributor and brand labeling.