Recalled requesón/soft ricotta: what symptoms to watch for (pregnancy & high-risk)

If you may have eaten recalled requesón/soft ricotta linked to an FDA recall, don’t ignore new illness. CDC says listeria symptoms can begin as early as the same day and as late as 10 weeks after eating contaminated food.

If you are pregnant (or 65 or older, or immunocompromised) and you develop symptoms after eating the recalled cheese, CDC advises calling a healthcare provider right away.

What happened: FDA recall + CDC-linked outbreak

FDA posted a recall for Clover Hill Dairy Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese due to a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination risk. FDA also notes the cheese was distributed and may have been repackaged and sold under other brand names (including some bulk-to-retail situations).

CDC is investigating a multistate listeria outbreak linked to soft cheese. CDC’s outbreak page lists 12 cases, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death, and says the investigation is open.

Who should take this especially seriously

CDC highlights that listeria is especially harmful if you are:

Pregnant
65 or older
Immunocompromised (because of certain medical conditions or treatments)

For pregnancy, CDC notes the infection can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening illness in a newborn—even when the person who got sick seems only mildly ill.

What to do now (simple checklist)

Check for the recalled cheese in your home (including products that may have been sold under a different brand or repackaged).
Do not eat it. CDC advises throwing it out or returning it to the store.
Clean your refrigerator items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cheese. CDC notes listeria can survive in the refrigerator.
Start a symptom watch if you think you ate the recalled cheese—because symptoms can start quickly or weeks later.

Symptom timing: why you may need to watch for weeks

CDC reports that listeria symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating contaminated food, but may begin as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after exposure.

Symptoms CDC says to watch for

CDC lists these symptoms:

Pregnant women: fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
Other people may have: headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions—along with fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

CDC also notes that even if symptoms seem mild during pregnancy, they still matter.

Call now vs. monitor: a decision rule for families

If you are pregnant (or 65+ or immunocompromised) and you develop any CDC-listed symptoms after eating the recalled cheese: call your healthcare provider right away.
If you are not in a high-risk group: contact a healthcare provider for guidance if symptoms develop after eating the recalled cheese.

Urgent/emergency note: If you have severe neurologic symptoms such as confusion or convulsions, seek urgent emergency care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

What to tell the clinician

That you may have eaten recalled requesón/soft ricotta connected to the FDA recall/CDC outbreak
About when you ate it (approximate date is helpful)
What symptoms you have and when they started

What pregnancy care may involve

ACOG notes that listeria exposure during pregnancy is higher-stakes and that clinicians use guidance to decide on next steps based on the clinical picture (for example, symptoms and timing after exposure). For a practical overview, you can also follow ACOG’s patient-facing explanation of listeria and pregnancy.

What is still uncertain

CDC says the investigation status is open and that CDC and FDA are working to identify any other products that may be linked to the outbreak. That means the “recalled product” details and clinical recommendations could be updated as new information becomes available.

Bottom line

If you might have eaten the recalled requesón/soft ricotta, start a symptom watch—because symptoms can begin the same day or up to 10 weeks later. If you are pregnant (or 65+ or immunocompromised) and you develop CDC-listed symptoms after eating the recalled cheese, call your healthcare provider right away.

Key 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.