Additional patients have been identified in a deadly outbreak of Listeria infections traced to cheese made by Clover Hill Dairy LLC of Mechanicsville, MD.
As of June 24, there are 12 patients. Ten have required hospitalization and one has died, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Of 10 people interviewed, nine reported eating cheese before becoming ill. Two people reported eating requeson made by Clover Hill Dairy. The sick people live in Maryland, New York and Virginia.
Samples from sick people were collected from March 6, 2023, to June 2, 2026. Whole genome sequencing showed that the patients were sickened by the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes. That same strain has been detected in Clover Hill Dairy cheese.
As a result of the outbreak investigation, Clover Hill has recalled all of its cheese products. The recall now includes the following:
- Soft and Semi-Soft “Spanish Style Cheese Varieties”: Cuajada, Soft Cuajada, Soft Cuajada in Brine, Soft Cuajada Crumbs, Ricotta/Requeson, and Soft Ricotta w/ Jalapenos (Requeson Con Chile)
- Mild Cheese Varieties: Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, Monterey Jack, Marble Jack, Fresh Cheddar Curd, Snack Pack - Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack, and Yummy Cheddar), and 3-in-A-Pack - Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack, and Yummy Cheddar)
- Hard Cheese Varieties: Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, and Snack Pack Sharp Stix
- Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties: Cheddar and White Cheddar
- Flavored Cheeses: Horseradish and Old Bay Cheddar
- Pepper Cheese Varieties: Jalapeño Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin’ Colby (with Habanero Peppers), Snack Pack- Assorted Pepper Stix (Jalapeño Cheddar and Pepper Jack), and 3-in-A-Pack - Assorted (Jalapeño Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Sizzlin Colby)
- Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties: Jalapeño Cheddar
The Clover Hill cheese may have been relabeled under a different brand name when distributed, including but not limited to KESSO, QUESOS LA RICURA, IZALCO, DE MI PUEBLO, and RIO LINDO.
A distributor of Clover Hill Dairy requeson cheese has also initiated a recall. On June 5, Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC of Bay Shore, NY, initiated a recall of 1-pound packages of requeson cheese sold in clear plastic clam-shell containers to retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28, 2026. The recalled cheese was likely repacked at the retail store locations, and labeling or coding of recalled cheese may vary based on location of purchase.
The recalled Clover Hill cheese was distributed from May 4 through May 30 in the following states: North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. through bulk distributors, retail stores and directly to consumers.
Nelson & Isa Lacteos requeson products were sold at retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28, 2026.
As part of this investigation, FDA and state partners collected and analyzed samples. To date, six product samples of requeson cheese have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and matched the outbreak strain. Additionally, one environmental sample, collected by Maryland investigators, tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and matched the outbreak strain.
Is can take up to 10 weeks after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop. Therefore, people who have eaten Clover Hill cheese should monitor themselves for fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Other outbreak news
For an outbreak of infections from Salmonella Enteritidis linked to a not yet identified product, the patient count has increased from 68 to 70. The ages of the patients have not been reported. Similarly, the FDA has not reported where the patients live. The FDA first reported the outbreak on June 10. The agency has begun traceback efforts but has not revealed what food it is tracing.
