Summary (tl;dr)

A multi-state Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses has led to an expanded recall of all cheese products from Clover Hill Dairy, LLC, resulting in several illnesses, hospitalizations, and at least one reported death.

Essential Background

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a severe infection called listeriosis, which can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. This bacterium can survive and grow in refrigerated conditions and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces. While pasteurization typically kills Listeria, soft cheeses can become contaminated after the pasteurization process due to unsanitary production environments.

The Full Story

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local health partners, are currently investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. The outbreak has been definitively linked to requeson, a type of soft cheese, and subsequently to all cheese products manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC, located in Mechanicsville, Maryland. As of June 29, 2026, a total of 12 people across four states have been reported infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria, resulting in 10 hospitalizations and one death.

Multiple product and environmental samples collected from Clover Hill Dairy have tested positive for the outbreak strain. This evidence prompted Clover Hill Dairy to expand its initial recall of requeson/soft ricotta products to include its entire line of cheese products. Affected products were distributed through the company's retail market, farmers markets, and other distributors in several states, potentially under various brand names such as Kesso, Quesos La Ricura, Izalco, De Mi Pueblo, and Rio Lindo. Additionally, distributors like La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. and Nelson & Isa Lacteos have also issued recalls for their cheese products linked to Clover Hill Dairy. The Maryland Department of Health has suspended Clover Hill Dairy's operating license due to the public health risk.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords reflect significant public health concern due to the serious nature of Listeria infections. Listeriosis can cause severe illness, including meningitis and sepsis, and can be fatal, especially for pregnant women, leading to miscarriage or stillbirth, and causing serious illness or death in newborns. The widespread nature of the recall across multiple states and the involvement of various cheese products raise concerns about potential further exposure and illnesses. Consumers who have purchased any recalled cheese products are advised to dispose of them immediately or return them to the place of purchase and to thoroughly clean any refrigerators, containers, or surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated cheese to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Geographic Location

• Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States (location of Clover Hill Dairy, LLC, the primary manufacturer of contaminated cheese and source of the outbreak)
• Maryland, United States (state where one death occurred and multiple illnesses were reported; the state health department suspended the dairy's operating license and conducted testing)
• New York, United States (state where multiple illnesses were reported, and a distributor, Nelson & Isa Lacteos, initiated a recall)
• Virginia, United States (state where multiple illnesses were reported, and recalled products were distributed)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (recalled products were distributed)
• North Carolina, United States (recalled products were distributed)
• New Jersey, United States (recalled products were distributed)