See cheeses added to 'do not eat' list amid deadly listeria outbreak
See cheeses added to 'do not eat' list amid deadly listeria outbreak
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAYWed, July 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM UTC
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More food items have been added to a list of recalled cheese linked to a growing multistate listeria outbreak that has already killed one person.
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially issued an investigation notice and public health advisory on Thursday, June 4, after eight people became sick across three states.
The 87.5% hopsitalization rate reported in these initial notifications has remained high since, with 10 of the 12 total people confirmed to be sick across four states, as of June 24, ending up in hospital care (83.3%).
Still, experts say most people who contract listeria poisoning recover at home without aid, meaning confirmed cases are often those that are serious enough to be documented by a medical professional.
This also means the actual number of sick could be, and is likely, much higher than reported, the FDA and CDC advised.
A fresh update issued on Sunday, June 26, added a handful of new items to the "do not eat" list, including several types of Mexican cheese sold in several states.
Here's what to know.
Which cheeses were recently recalled?
The latest recall update added cheeses made by La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. that were sold between May 11 and June 1 in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.
14-ounce La Colonia-brand Salvadoreno Requeson, Soft Ricotta Cheese. UPC: 736846383099, expiration date 07/10/2026.
16-ounce Selectos Latinos-brand Requeson Salvadoreno, Ricotta Style Salvadorean Style Cheese. UPC: 767787984526, expiration date 07/10/2026.
16-ounce Selectos Latinos-brand Requeson Mexicano, Mexican Cottage Cheese. UPC: 767787984519, expiration date 07/10/2026.
18-pound Clover Hill-brand Buket of Requeson, expiration date 07/10/2026.
Full list of recalled cheese
Clover Hill Dairy previously issued a recall that was later expanded to include its soft cheeses, which were sold both directly by Clover Hill and third-party distributors in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
Recalled products may be relabeled under a different brand name when distributed, including (but not limited to) Kesso, Quesos La Ricura, Izalco, De Mi Pueblo and Rio Lindo. Consumers should check labels for manufacturer info, which will list the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit (or plant) number as “24-128” if available.
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Soft Cuajada in Brine, 5-gallon bucket, 2-gallon bucket.
Soft Cuajada, 5-pound bags, 2.5-pound clamshell, 14-ounce clamshell.
Cuajada, 30-pound boxes.
Ricotta 5-gallon bucket, 2-gallon bucket, 2.5-pound tubs, 1-pound clamshell.
Soft Cuajada Crumbs.
Mild Cheese Varieties (Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, Monterey Jack, Marble Jack), 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pound, 5-pound, 40-pound containers.
Mild Cheese Varieties – Snack Pack Assorted Regular Mild Stix (White Colby, Marble Jack, Yummy Cheddar), 6.4-ounce.
Mild Cheese Varieties – 3-in-A-Pack Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack, Yummy Cheddar), 3.2-ounce.
Mild Cheese Varieties – Fresh Cheddar Curd. 0.75-pound box, 1.50-pound box.
Sharp Cheese Varieties (Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, Monterey Jack), 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pound, 5-pound.
Sharp Cheese Snack Pack Sharp Stix (White or Yellow Regular Size), 6.4-ounce.
Flavored Cheese – Horseradish, 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pound, 5-pound, 40-pound.
Flavored Cheese – Old Bay Cheddar, 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pound, 5-pound, 40-pound.
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties (Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby with Habanero Peppers), 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pound, 5-pound, 40-pound.
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties – Snack Pack Assorted Pepperjack Stix (Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack), 6.4-ounce.
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties – 3-in-a-Pack Assorted (Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby), 3.2-ounce.
Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties (Cheddar, White Cheddar), 1/2-pound, 1-pound.
Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties (Jalapeno Cheddar), 1/2-pound pieces, 1-pound pieces.
Where did people get sick?
Currently, recalled cheese has made 12 people ill across four states, according to the CDC. Of those, 10 were hospitalized, and one died in Maryland.
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Illinois (1 case)
Maryland (3 cases)
New York (5 cases)
Virginia (3 cases)
What to do if you have recalled cheese
Do not eat any recalled cheese, the CDC recommends, adding that people should throw it away or return the cheese to where they purchased it.
People at higher risk, those who may have had contaminated cheese in the home and businesses that may have had the cheese, are advised to take precautions, including:
Cleaning refrigerators, containers and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cheese. Wash surfaces with warm, soapy water before sanitizing them with a solution mix of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water.
Washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and/or possibly contaminated surfaces.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you feel ill after eating potentially contaminated food.
What are the symptoms of listeria poisoning?
Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially when contracted by adults over 65, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.
Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food, but may begin as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. According to the CDC, symptoms include:
Fever
Muscle aches
Headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
Death
People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These cheeses are now on the 'do not eat list' amid listeria outbreak
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