FDA Expands Cheese Recall as Listeria Outbreak Leaves 1 Dead and 10 Hospitalized
A routine grocery trip can sometimes come with an unexpected reminder to check what's already in the fridge. When a food recall affects everyday items, knowing which products are involved and where they were sold can help shoppers decide what steps to take.
Soft cheeses often get extra attention during recall alerts because they're typically eaten as-is, without cooking that could help kill harmful bacteria. That's why it's a good idea to pay attention when health officials issue warnings about refrigerated dairy products.
The FDA has expanded a cheese recall connected to an ongoing listeria outbreak investigation involving requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta. The investigation has been linked to 12 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations and one death.
Which Cheeses Are Recalled And Where Were They Sold?
The latest recall involves products from La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc., which recalled certain Requeson Salvadoreno and Requeson Mexicano products due to possible listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled cheeses were sold under the La Colonia and Selectos Latinos brands and were distributed to supermarkets, retail stores and restaurants in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The recalled products include:
- La Colonia Salvadoreno Requeson, Soft Ricotta Cheese (14 ounces), UPC 736846383099
- Selectos Latinos Requeson Salvadoreno, Ricotta Style Salvadorean Style Cheese (16 ounces), UPC 767787984526
- Selectos Latinos Requeson Mexicano, Mexican Cottage Cheese (16 ounces), UPC 767787984519
All affected La Ceiba products have an expiration date of July 10, 2026.
The recall is connected to a larger recall by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC. Clover Hill Dairy, based in Mechanicsville, Maryland, expanded its recall to include all cheese products manufactured at its facility after products tested positive for the outbreak strain of listeria monocytogenes.
Some recalled products may not be sold under the Clover Hill Dairy name. Products may have been relabeled under other brands, including:
- Kesso
- Quesos La Ricura
- Izalco
- De Mi Pueblo
- Rio Lindo
Related: Publix Issues Recall of Popular Freezer Staple for This Concerning Reason
Clover Hill Dairy products were sold through the company's retail market, at farmers markets and through third-party distributors in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Officials say products may have reached additional states.
What Shoppers Should Do If They Bought Recalled Cheese
Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any recalled cheese products. The FDA recommends returning recalled items to the place of purchase or disposing of them.
Symptoms of a listeria infection can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. More serious infections may cause headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions.
The FDA's investigation is ongoing. So before you dig into that cheese in the fridge, it's worth taking a quick look to make sure it's not part of the recall.
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This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 2:25 AM.