Public health officials are investigating a deadly listeria outbreak caused by requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta.
The multi-state, multi-year outbreak began in 2023 and infected eight people in three states – Maryland, New York and Virginia, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Laboratory samples were collected from sick people between March 6, 2023, and May 9 of this year. Seven people were hospitalized and one person died.
Distribution of the cheese involved has been confirmed in New York, Maryland, and Virginia, but may have been distributed further.
Of the seven people interviewed, five reported eating cheese before getting sick, and two reported requesting a meal from Clover Hill Dairy.
On May 13, the Suffolk County, New York, Department of Health notified the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets of two related Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in the same family that purchased food from a local retail store in Brentwood, New York.
The next day, the New York State Department of Health confirmed that both patients had consumed Riqueson cheese purchased from the retailer.
State Department of Agriculture investigators tested five cheese samples collected from retail stores. One of the requested samples repackaged by the retailer tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed that the Listeria strain found in the requested cheese matched the Listeria strain causing illness in two New York patients who reported purchasing cheese from this retailer.
On May 27, the Department of Agriculture investigated retail cheese distributors and identified Clover Hill Dairy LLC, located in Mechanicsville, Maryland, as the requesting cheese manufacturer. Samples collected from unopened 18-pound sealed requisition buckets manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy LLC also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. WGS analysis is pending.
On June 3, Clover Hill Dairy LLC announced a voluntary recall of requested/soft ricotta products.
Due to public health risks, the Maryland Department of Health has suspended Clover Hill Dairy LLC’s operating license and consumer advisoryWe are conducting follow-up evaluations in cooperation with the facility.
Clover Hill Dairy products are sold directly through retail markets, farmers markets and third-party distributors, including in New York and Virginia, according to the Maryland Consumer Advisory. Some varieties may have jalapeno or other flavors. Products may be relabeled under different brand names during distribution, so consumers are encouraged to check the manufacturer’s information on the package when possible. The label must display the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer’s license (or factory) number as “24-128.”
The FDA is in the early stages of this investigation, additional products may be affected, and additional testing by the FDA and state partners is underway.
About listeria infection
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who develops symptoms of listeria infection after eating the recalled cheese should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about possible listeria exposure.
Additionally, people who have eaten the cheese involved should monitor themselves for symptoms over the next few weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to listeria for listeriosis symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of listeria infection include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle pain, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose listeria infection, which can mimic other illnesses.
People like pregnant women, the elderly, children, and cancer patients with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death. Infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can cause premature delivery, neonatal infection, and even stillbirth.
