CDC and FDA Update June 2026 Listeria Outbreak Linked to Requesón and Soft Ricotta Cheese
CDC and FDA have updated an active June 2026 multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation tied to requesón and soft ricotta cheese. The key consumer takeaway is simple: if you have this cheese at home, check it now, and do not eat it if it matches the recalled supply chain.
The latest federal updates point to Clover Hill Dairy, which issued a voluntary recall on June 3, 2026. The affected distribution footprint includes Maryland retail markets and farmers markets, plus third-party distributors in New York and Virginia. Officials have not asked consumers to panic, but they are asking shoppers to take the product seriously and clear it from the fridge if it may be affected.
What shoppers should look for
The product named in the investigation is requesón, also described in the notices as soft ricotta cheese. If you bought a fresh soft cheese in one of the affected channels, take a careful look at the package, label, and any recall details shared by the retailer or maker. Do not assume all ricotta, all queso fresco, or all dairy is involved. This notice is limited to the named product and the linked recall information from CDC and FDA.
If you are unsure whether the cheese in your refrigerator came from the recalled supply chain, set it aside and compare it with the official recall details before serving it. If you cannot verify it quickly, the safest move is to discard it.
What to do right now
- Do not taste-test the cheese to see whether it is safe.
- Throw it out or follow the recall instructions from the notice.
- Wash hands after handling the product or its packaging.
- Clean refrigerator shelves, containers, cutting boards, and utensils that may have touched it.
- Check any leftovers, cheese containers, or serving dishes that may have held the recalled product.
For most home cooks, the fastest fridge check is to look for any fresh soft cheese purchased through Maryland retail markets, farmers markets, or distributors in New York or Virginia, then compare it against the recall details from FDA. If it fits, remove it from your kitchen right away.
Why this update matters
Listeria can be especially serious for pregnant people, older adults, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems. That does not mean every exposed person will get sick, but it does mean recalled cheese should not stay in the fridge “just in case.” The current CDC and FDA updates are meant to help shoppers act quickly and avoid accidental use.
If you already ate the cheese and feel unwell, contact a health care provider for advice. For everyone else, the safest next step is still the same: check the cheese, discard it if it matches the recall, and clean the kitchen surfaces it touched.
Keep an eye on the CDC and FDA outbreak pages for any further updates, especially if more product information, distribution details, or illness counts are added.
