The FDA updated its Listeria monocytogenes soft-cheese outbreak advisory on Aug. 26, 2026, reporting that the multistate, multi-year investigation linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta, manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC is now complete.
According to FDA and CDC information in the advisory, 15 people infected with the outbreak strain were reported from 4 states. The agency reported 14 hospitalizations and one death, with illness onset dates ranging from March 6, 2023 to July 8, 2026.
The advisory continues to warn higher-risk consumers, including pregnant people, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems, not to eat queso fresco-type cheeses, including soft ricotta or requeson, connected to the recall.
What food businesses should review
- Check whether any recalled Clover Hill Dairy products or relabeled products remain in storage, service, or distribution areas.
- Verify supplier documentation for soft cheeses, especially repacked or relabeled queso fresco-type products.
- Reinforce sanitation, environmental monitoring, and cold-chain controls for ready-to-eat dairy items.
- Train staff to escalate any recall match immediately and document product removal steps.
FDA also held an August public meeting focused on Listeria prevention, including best practices for controlling L. monocytogenes in retail environments and food safety management systems.
Source: FDA outbreak advisory.
