The FDA and CDC, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta. Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 8 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 3 states. Sick people's samples were collected on dates ranging from March 6, 2023, to May 9, 2026.
On May 27, 2026, NYS AGM conducted an inspection at the retailer's cheese distributor, which identified Clover Hill Dairy, LLC of Mechanicsville, MD as the requeson cheese manufacturer. A sample collected from an unopened 18-pound sealed bucket of requeson manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes; WGS analysis is pending.
On June 3, 2026, Clover Hill Dairy, LLC issued a voluntary recall of its requeson/soft ricotta products. Consumers and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell recalled requeson cheese.
("Requesón cheese is a type of fresh cheese that originated in Spain and is common in Mexican cuisine as well. It is a soft and crumbly cheese made from whey protein, similar to ricotta cheese. Requesón cheese has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes. (link)")
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 8
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 1
Last specimen collection date: May 8, 2026
States with Cases: MD, NY, VA
Product Distribution*: MD, NY, VA
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-soft-cheese-june-2026
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Soft Cheese (June 2026)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled requeson/soft ricotta cheese. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Product
Recalled Clover Hill Dairy soft ricotta/requeson cheese
This recall includes all requeson cheese manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy. Some varieties may have jalapeño or other flavors. Products may be relabeled under a different brand name when distributed, so consumers should check the manufacturer information on packages, if available. The label should identify the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit (or plant) number as “24-128” (pictured below).
The above products have been recalled after sampling was conducted as part of the outbreak investigation and identified Listeria monocytogenes in requeson cheese. At this time, there is not enough evidence to determine if the recalled cheese can explain the entire outbreak.
FDA is in the early stages of this investigation, additional products may be impacted, and further testing by FDA and state partners is underway.
Current Update
June 4, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 8 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 3 states. Sick people's samples were collected on dates ranging from March 6, 2023, to May 9, 2026. Of the 7 people interviewed, 5 reported eating any cheese. Two people (29%) reported eating requeson made by Clover Hill Dairy. There have been 7 hospitalizations, and one death reported.
On May 13, 2026, the Suffolk County Health Department (SCHD) notified the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYS AGM) of two related Listeria monocytogenes illnesses from the same family, who had purchased food from a local retailer in Brentwood, NY. The following day, the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) confirmed that both cases had consumed requeson cheese purchased at that retailer. NYS AGM investigators tested five cheese samples collected from the retailer. One sample of requeson that had been repacked by the retailer tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed the strain of Listeria found in the requeson cheese matches the strain of Listeria causing illnesses in the two New York cases who reported purchasing cheese from this retailer.
On May 27, 2026, NYS AGM conducted an inspection at the retailer's cheese distributor, which identified Clover Hill Dairy, LLC of Mechanicsville, MD as the requeson cheese manufacturer. A sample collected from an unopened 18-pound sealed bucket of requeson manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes; WGS analysis is pending.
On June 3, 2026, Clover Hill Dairy, LLC issued a voluntary recall of its requeson/soft ricotta products. Consumers and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell recalled requeson cheese.
Due to the public health risk, the Maryland Department of Health has suspended the Clover Hill Dairy LLC’s operating license, issued a Consumer Advisory, and is conducting a follow up evaluation in cooperation with the facility.
FDA is in the early stages of this investigation, additional products may be impacted, and further testing by FDA and state partners is underway. The FDA will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Recalled Clover Hill Dairy soft ricotta/requeson cheese
This recall includes all requeson cheese manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy. Some varieties may have jalapeño or other flavors. Products may be relabeled under a different brand name when distributed, so consumers should check the manufacturer information on packages, if available. The label should identify the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit (or plant) number as “24-128” (pictured below).
The above products have been recalled after sampling was conducted as part of the outbreak investigation and identified Listeria monocytogenes in requeson cheese. At this time, there is not enough evidence to determine if the recalled cheese can explain the entire outbreak.
FDA is in the early stages of this investigation, additional products may be impacted, and further testing by FDA and state partners is underway.
Current Update
June 4, 2026
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 8 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 3 states. Sick people's samples were collected on dates ranging from March 6, 2023, to May 9, 2026. Of the 7 people interviewed, 5 reported eating any cheese. Two people (29%) reported eating requeson made by Clover Hill Dairy. There have been 7 hospitalizations, and one death reported.
On May 13, 2026, the Suffolk County Health Department (SCHD) notified the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYS AGM) of two related Listeria monocytogenes illnesses from the same family, who had purchased food from a local retailer in Brentwood, NY. The following day, the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) confirmed that both cases had consumed requeson cheese purchased at that retailer. NYS AGM investigators tested five cheese samples collected from the retailer. One sample of requeson that had been repacked by the retailer tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed the strain of Listeria found in the requeson cheese matches the strain of Listeria causing illnesses in the two New York cases who reported purchasing cheese from this retailer.
On May 27, 2026, NYS AGM conducted an inspection at the retailer's cheese distributor, which identified Clover Hill Dairy, LLC of Mechanicsville, MD as the requeson cheese manufacturer. A sample collected from an unopened 18-pound sealed bucket of requeson manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes; WGS analysis is pending.
On June 3, 2026, Clover Hill Dairy, LLC issued a voluntary recall of its requeson/soft ricotta products. Consumers and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell recalled requeson cheese.
Due to the public health risk, the Maryland Department of Health has suspended the Clover Hill Dairy LLC’s operating license, issued a Consumer Advisory, and is conducting a follow up evaluation in cooperation with the facility.
FDA is in the early stages of this investigation, additional products may be impacted, and further testing by FDA and state partners is underway. The FDA will provide updates as new information becomes available.
No comments:
Post a Comment