FDA Soft Cheese Listeria Outbreak Expands: What Shoppers Should Check Now
Shoppers should check the refrigerator and freezer now for recalled soft cheese tied to an ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, the FDA says. The recall has expanded beyond the first listed products and now includes additional cheese types and relabeled brands, including requesón and soft ricotta-style cheese.
The most important thing is not to rely on brand name alone. FDA says some products may have been repacked or sold under different names, so it is worth checking labels closely for Clover Hill Dairy products and for plant number 24-128 when that marking is present on the package.
The outbreak remains active. FDA and CDC reporting now lists 12 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death. Confirmed distribution includes Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
What to check at home
Start with any soft cheese you brought home in the last several weeks, especially items stored in the fridge, freezer, or in a family lunch container. Read the front and back labels carefully. Look for:
- Requesón
- Soft ricotta-style cheese
- Clover Hill Dairy
- Plant number 24-128, if present
- Any repacked or relabeled cheese that may not carry the original brand name
If the product matches the recall, do not taste it to check. Throw it away or return it to the store for a refund, following the retailer’s instructions if provided.
What to do next
After removing the cheese, clean any shelves, bins, containers, utensils, or countertops that may have touched it. Use hot, soapy water on washable surfaces and containers, then dry them well. If the cheese was stored in a sealed bin or lunch container, wash that too.
This update matters because the recall has widened. A product that looked different on the shelf may still be covered if it was repacked or sold under another name, so a quick label check can catch items a family might otherwise miss.
For now, the safest approach is simple: check the fridge and freezer, discard or return anything recalled, and clean the places where it was stored. FDA says the investigation is ongoing, so shoppers should keep watching for further updates.
