The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta, manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC of Mechanicsville, MD. Based on epidemiological information collected by the CDC, a total of 9 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 3 states (MD, NY, VA). Sick people's samples were collected between March 6, 2023, and May 10, 2026. Of the 8 people interviewed, 6 reported eating any cheese. Two people (33%) reported eating requeson made by Clover Hill Dairy. There have been 8 hospitalizations and one death reported. On June 5, Nelson & Isa Lacteos, LLC of Bay Shore, NY, a distributor of Clover Hill Dairy requeson cheese, initiated a recall of 1-lb packages of requeson cheese sold in plastic clam-shell containers to retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28, 2026. The recalled cheese was likely repacked at retail store locations, and its labeling or coding may vary by location of purchase. The recall was initiated after New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYS AGM) detected Listeria monocytogenes in a sample collected from an unopened 18-lb plastic container of "Clover Hill Dairy Requeson Cheese" with a sell-by date of 6/14/26 and batch #2AA051526. This is the same sample referenced in the June 4, 2026, update. WGS confirmed that the Listeria strain found in the requeson cheese sample matches the strain linked to this outbreak. This recall covers 1-lb containers of requeson cheese that were repackaged from the same Listeria-positive batch. This investigation is ongoing. Additional products may be impacted, and further testing by the FDA and state partners is underway. FDA will provide updates as new information becomes available. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-soft-cheese-june-2026?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
