Bought requesón or soft ricotta? What June 2026 Listeria recalls mean

If you bought requesón or soft ricotta in late May or early June, especially in Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, or Washington, D.C., it is worth checking your refrigerator, freezer, receipts, and store purchase history now.

Federal health officials say recalled cheese tied to the June 2026 Listeria investigation may have been sold in original Clover Hill Dairy packages, in bulk containers that were later repacked, or under other brand names. That means the label on your cheese may not match the main recall headline.

Which cheeses are part of the June 2026 recalls?

The main products in scope are requesón and soft ricotta made by Clover Hill Dairy of Mechanicsville, Maryland. According to the FDA and CDC, these cheeses were distributed from May 4 through May 30, 2026, in Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Officials also say the products could have been distributed farther after resale or repacking.

The recalled Clover Hill products were sold in 10-ounce, 12-ounce, and 14-ounce clamshell containers. Some packages may show Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit or plant number 24-128. The cheese was also sold in 2-gallon and 5-gallon bulk buckets to customers who may have repackaged it.

FDA and CDC say some repacked products may appear under other names, including Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, De mi Pueblo, and Rio Lindo. Some varieties may also include jalapeño or other flavors.

A related FDA recall covers 1-pound requesón packages sold by Nelson & Isa Lacteos in clear plastic clamshell containers at New York retail locations from May 15 through May 28, 2026. Officials say those 1-pound packages were likely repacked at store level, so coding and labeling may vary by where you bought them.

How to check cheese at home

If you have soft ricotta or requesón at home, start with a simple checklist:

Check the product type. The recall is about requesón and soft ricotta, not every cheese in your refrigerator.
Check the dates. Focus first on products bought or distributed in May 2026, especially from May 4 to May 30, or in New York stores from May 15 to May 28.
Check the package size and container style. Clover Hill products may be in 10-, 12-, or 14-ounce clamshell containers. The related New York recall involves 1-pound clamshell packages.
Check the manufacturer information. If the package is available, look for Clover Hill Dairy or plant number 24-128.
Check whether it may have been repacked. Deli-counter cheese, store-packed cheese, or cheese sold under another brand name may still be part of the recall.
Check your receipts or store account. If the package is gone or the label is unclear, your purchase history may help identify the product.

If you froze cheese without the original package and cannot tell whether it is part of the recall, the safest choice is to throw it away.

What to do if you find recalled cheese

Do not eat it. FDA and CDC say consumers should return recalled cheese to the place of purchase or throw it away.

Then clean anything the cheese may have touched. That can include refrigerator shelves, drawers, cutting boards, knives, serving dishes, and food-storage containers. Listeria can survive in cold temperatures and can spread to other foods and surfaces, which is why cleaning matters even after the product is gone.

If you bought the cheese for a household member, child, older adult, or someone with a weakened immune system, take extra care to check shared foods and surfaces. If the product was served at a family meal or gathering, it may help to let people know what was served so they can watch for symptoms and mention the possible exposure if they get sick.

What if you already ate it?

Not everyone exposed to Listeria gets seriously ill, but some people face a much higher risk of severe infection. CDC and FDA say the highest-risk groups include pregnant people, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems due to illness or treatment.

Symptoms can begin within a few days, but they may also start as late as 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. Mild illness can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual tiredness. More serious illness can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions.

If you are pregnant, 65 or older, or immunocompromised and develop symptoms after eating recalled cheese, call a healthcare provider promptly. Seek urgent medical care right away for severe symptoms such as confusion, trouble with balance, seizures, or signs that you are becoming very ill.

Pregnancy deserves special caution. Federal health agencies note that Listeria illness in pregnancy may seem mild at first but can still raise the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe infection in a newborn.

Why soft cheeses can still be a Listeria problem

Many people assume cheese made with pasteurized milk is automatically low risk. That is not always true for fresh, soft cheeses.

CDC outbreak guidance and prior CDC research show that fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses can become contaminated after pasteurization during production, packaging, or repacking. Their high moisture and refrigerated storage conditions can give Listeria a chance to survive and grow.

That matters here because some of the recalled products may have been sold in bulk and repacked later, which can make identification harder and cross-contamination more likely.

What is known, and what is still uncertain

As of the June 9, 2026 federal update, officials had reported 9 outbreak-related cases in 3 states, with 8 hospitalizations and 1 death. The FDA says the investigation is ongoing, and additional products may still be identified.

That means this story is less about one neat product list and more about careful checking. If you bought requesón or soft ricotta recently and the labeling is incomplete, store-repacked, or missing, the safest next step is to contact the retailer or avoid eating the product.

What readers can do now

Check your refrigerator and freezer for requesón or soft ricotta bought in May 2026.
Look for Clover Hill Dairy, plant number 24-128, repacked deli containers, or 1-pound New York clamshell packages.
Return recalled cheese or throw it away.
Clean shelves, containers, utensils, and surfaces the cheese may have touched.
Watch for symptoms for up to 10 weeks after possible exposure.
If you are pregnant, older, or immunocompromised and develop symptoms, contact a clinician promptly.

Because the federal investigation remains open, readers should expect that agencies may update product details, store information, or case counts as testing continues.

Sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.