Key facts
- Clover Hill Dairy has recalled all requesón and soft ricotta cheese due to a Listeria outbreak.
- The outbreak has caused one death and hospitalized eight people across Maryland, New York, and Virginia.
- Illnesses were reported with onset dates spanning March 2023 through May 2026.
- The FDA investigation traced the Listeria strain to Clover Hill Dairy's products.
- The Maryland Department of Health has suspended the dairy's operating license.
A Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheese has resulted in one fatality and hospitalized eight individuals across three states, prompting a recall of products from Clover Hill Dairy in Maryland. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the outbreak, which has seen illnesses with onset dates ranging from March 2023 to May 2026.
Clover Hill Dairy issued a voluntary recall on June 3 for all its requesón and soft ricotta cheese. These products were distributed to retailers in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Consumers are advised to check for the manufacturer permit number "24-128" to identify potentially affected products, as they may be sold under various brand names.
Federal health officials confirmed that nine people have been infected with the same strain of Listeria. Investigations revealed that two out of seven interviewed individuals specifically reported consuming requesón from Clover Hill Dairy. The outbreak investigation began after two family members in New York fell ill in May, with lab testing confirming the Listeria strain in their purchased cheese matched the outbreak strain. Further testing traced the contamination back to Clover Hill Dairy, with an 18-pound bucket of their requesón also testing positive.
In response to the outbreak, the Maryland Department of Health has suspended Clover Hill Dairy's operating license. The FDA stated its investigation is ongoing and may lead to additional recalls. Consumers are urged to discard any suspected cheese and thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with it, as Listeria can survive refrigeration and spread to other foods.