A deadly listeria outbreak linked to recalled soft cheese from Clover Hill Dairy in Maryland has claimed one life and hospitalized eight others across multiple states. The CDC warns the true scope remains hidden—many recover without testing, and recent illnesses take weeks to surface in official counts.
The contaminated requesón, a soft cheese similar to ricotta, spread across six states between May 4 and May 30. Federal officials say the cheese was repackaged and relabeled under multiple brand names, complicating identification for consumers checking their refrigerators.
Recalled Cheese Spread Across Multiple Identities
The affected cheese reached North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington DC, according to the FDA. Officials suspect it traveled even further through wholesale channels.
Clover Hill Dairy’s contaminated products appeared on shelves under at least five different brand names: Kesso, Quesos La Ricura, Izalco, De Mi Pueblo, and Rio Lindo. Consumers should check for the manufacturer permit number 24-128 on packaging.
If you freeze the cheese and can’t identify the original packaging, throw it away immediately.
Key Safety Actions:
- Discard any soft cheese from Clover Hill Dairy (permit #24-128)
- Return recalled products to the store for refunds
- Clean all surfaces, containers, and refrigerator areas that touched the cheese
- Sanitize hands thoroughly after handling recalled products
- Monitor for symptoms
The CDC’s stark assessment underscores the outbreak’s hidden scope: “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported.”
Listeriosis symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Invasive cases escalate to confusion, loss of balance, stiff neck, or seizures.
Pregnant women face particular danger. They may experience mild illness while passing infection to the fetus, increasing risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.
Investigation Expands as Traceback Continues
Clover Hill Dairy issued a voluntary recall, but health authorities continue mapping the contamination’s reach. The ongoing investigation may identify additional products or distribution channels.
Check FDA recall notices regularly and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after consuming soft cheese from unknown sources. Your refrigerator could still harbor this invisible threat—act now, check those labels, and don’t gamble with listeria.
