U.S. soft-cheese recall after Listeria outbreak warns pregnant, older adults
Recalled soft cheese tied to a multistate Listeria outbreak has sickened 8 people, hospitalized 7 and killed 1 in Maryland as officials investigate.
Federal and state health officials are warning consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled soft cheese products tied to a multistate Listeria outbreak. In the CDC‘s latest update on June 4, 2026, investigators reported 8 illnesses across 3 states, 7 hospitalizations and 1 death in Maryland. The outbreak is still being investigated, so the list of affected products and the case count can change.
The CDC, FDA and Maryland health officials say the recall involves requesón and soft ricotta cheese products connected to Clover Hill Dairy and Nelson Isa Lacteos LLC. Officials said the products were sold through direct sales, farmers markets and distributors in New York and Virginia, making this a national consumer warning rather than a one-state problem.
Who faces the highest risk
Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Infection can lead to severe illness, hospitalization and, in pregnancy, serious harm to the fetus or newborn. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and gastrointestinal illness. In some cases, symptoms may not appear right away, so someone may feel fine for a period after eating contaminated food.
What to do now
If you have any of the recalled products, do not eat them. Throw them away or follow the recall instructions from the seller or manufacturer. Clean surfaces, containers and refrigerators that may have touched the cheese so contamination does not spread to other foods. If you are pregnant, older or immunocompromised and think you may have eaten the recalled product, contact a health care professional promptly, especially if symptoms develop later.
Officials are still tracing the source of the outbreak and watching for additional illnesses. For readers, the practical takeaway is simple: this recall applies to the named soft-cheese products, not to all dairy or all cheese. Check labels carefully while investigators continue their work.
