Listeria Soft Cheese Recall Update: What Shoppers Should Check Now
Shoppers should check the fridge and freezer now for recalled requesón and soft ricotta cheese tied to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The latest CDC and FDA updates expand what home cooks need to look for, including additional Clover Hill Dairy products and Nelson & Isa Lacteos products sold in New York.
According to the CDC, the outbreak has caused 9 illnesses across 3 states, with 8 hospitalizations and 1 death. That makes this a serious kitchen check, especially for households that buy soft cheeses for cooking, snacks, or family meals.
What the FDA says to check
The FDA outbreak update now points shoppers to specific requesón and soft ricotta cheese products from Clover Hill Dairy, with distribution in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. The agency also says Nelson & Isa Lacteos products sold in New York are part of the update.
If you bought soft cheese recently, look for any package that matches the official product names, brands, dates, and other identifiers listed in the FDA notice. Do not assume a different brand or style is affected. This update is specific to the named products and distribution areas.
What to do in the kitchen
First, check your refrigerator and freezer for any recalled product. Listeria can survive refrigeration, so cold storage does not make a recalled item safe to keep.
If you find a matching cheese, do not eat it, serve it, or use it in cooking. Discard it or return it as instructed by the retailer or manufacturer. Keep it away from other foods while you handle it.
After you remove the cheese, clean and sanitize any shelves, drawers, containers, cutting boards, knives, or food prep surfaces that may have touched it. Wash your hands well with warm water and soap afterward.
If the cheese was already used in a dish, think through whether any leftovers, prep tools, or storage containers may also need to be cleaned out. When in doubt, discard the food and clean the contact surfaces.
Why this update matters now
The key change for shoppers is that the recall and outbreak guidance is not limited to one small product lot. CDC is tracking confirmed illnesses, while FDA has expanded the product and distribution details so more households can check what they brought home.
For now, the safest next step is simple: check labels, discard or return anything that matches the official notice, and clean the spots where it was stored or prepared. Keep an eye on CDC and FDA updates in case more products are added.
