Illnesses reported in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Virginia. 10 have been hospitalized and 1 death has been reported from Maryland.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that some requesón cheeses supplied by Clover Hill Dairy are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are making people sick. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional cheeses are linked to the outbreak.
Since the last epidemiological update on June 15, 2026, 3 new illnesses were reported.
As of June 24, 2026, a total of 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 4 states. Sick people’s samples were collected on dates ranging from March 6, 2023, to June 2, 2026. Of 12 people with information available, 10 have been hospitalized and 1 death has been reported from Maryland.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 10 people interviewed, 9 reported eating any cheese. Two people reported eating requesón cheese made by Clover Hill Dairy. Other people reported exposures to different types of cheeses. The investigation is ongoing to determine if those cheese exposures relate to Clover Hill Dairy.
Public health investigators continue to gather information on what people ate before getting sick to determine whether additional products are linked to the outbreak.
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
FDA and state partners collected and analyzed product and environmental samples. Listeria was detected in six product samples of requesón cheese and in one environmental sample. WGS showed that the Listeria in the cheese is the same Listeria in the sick people.
On June 18, 2026, Clover Hill Dairy expanded their recall to include all of its cheese products. CDC advises people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled cheese.
This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.
Recalled products were distributed in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
Listeria: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Listeria outbreaks. The Listeria lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Listeria and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Listeria lawyers have litigated Listeria cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as lettuce, polony, deli meat, cantaloupe, cheese, celery and milk.
If you or a family member became ill with a Listeria infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Listeria attorneys for a free case evaluation.
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