Roanoke, VA

Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff, Naomi Campbell Lead

Published: 7:00 AM EST June 17, 2026

Edited: 7:00 AM EST June 17, 2026

A tub of cheese in your fridge has been tied to a deadly contamination and health officials say some local shoppers may have already brought it home.

Cheese lovers may want to check their refrigerators before preparing their next family or solo meal.

Roanoke-area consumers are encouraged to review cheese products in their homes after federal health officials linked recalled ricotta and requesón cheese to a multistate listeria outbreak that has hospitalized several people and resulted in one death. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that Maryland-based Clover Hill Dairy recalled all of its soft ricotta and requesón cheese products and health officials identified contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness if spreads. The bacteria is found not just in cheese, but deli meats, fruits and vegetables.

Here’s what to know:

According to federal health officials, nine people have contracted the strain of listeria linked to the recalled cheese products. One death has been reported in Maryland. 

“Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled cheese including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. 

The products were distributed from May 4 through May 30 in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. However, the recall dates back to March 2023. 

The CDC noted that the actual number of illnesses may be higher “because some people recover without seeking medical care and are not tested for listeria.” Investigators continue to monitor the outbreak and determine whether additional illnesses may be connected to the recalled products.

The initial cases were reported in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. 

While no illnesses have been reported in Roanoke, Virginia is among the states where the recalled products were distributed, prompting health officials to encourage consumers to check product labels and manufacturer information before consuming ricotta or requesón cheese purchased in recent months. 

What is listeria?

According to the CDC, listerisosis is one of the most serious foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria. 

Listeria can contaminate food and can spread easily to other foods and surfaces and can survive in refrigerated temperatures. 

Although healthy individuals may experience only mild symptoms, the infection can become severe when the bacteria spreads beyond the digestive system.

What to look out for?

The recall includes soft ricotta and requesón cheese sold in 10-ounce, 12-ounce, and 14-ounce containers. Bulk products sold in two-gallon and five-gallon containers have also been recalled.

Consumers are advised to pay close attention to product labeling because some recalled cheese may have been repackaged and distributed under different brand names. Federal officials identified several distributor labels associated with the recall, including De Mi Pueblo, Izalco, Kesso, Quesos La Ricura, and Rio Lindo.

“Of the 8 people interviewed, 6 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,” according to the CDC.

Another distributor connected to the recall, New York-based Nelson Isa Lacteos, also announced a recall involving one-pound packages of requesón cheese sold in clamshell containers. The producers were distributed to retailers and distributors in several regions including North Carolina and Washington, D.C.

Federal officials are urging consumers not to eat, sell or serve any recalled requesón or soft ricotta cheese while the FDA’s investigation remains ongoing, including flavored varieties such as jalapeño.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased a recalled product are encouraged to dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Health officials warn that simply removing the recalled cheese may not eliminate the risk of contamination.

Consumers are also advised to thoroughly clean and sanitize refrigerators, containers, shelves that may have come into contact with the recalled products. In addition, consumers should throw away recalled cheese that has been removed from its original packaging or stored in a freezer if they can no longer determine whether it is part of the recall. 

People at greatest risk include adults age 65 and older, pregnant individuals and people with weakened immune systems due to certain medical conditions or treatments.

The CDC warns that symptoms may develop within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can take as long as 10 weeks to appear. The delay can make it difficult for health officials to identify the source of an outbreak and for consumers to connect their illnesses to a specific food product.

Mild symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, and vomiting.

More severe infections can result in headache, confusion, convulsions, loss of balance and a stick neck. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission at 240-528-8850, extension 327, “on behalf of Clover Hill Dairy.”

Consumers should also look for Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit number “24-128” on product labels when determining whether a product is affected by the recall.

The Roanoke community can stay updated on the outbreak through food recall notices issued by the Virginia Department of Health.

For more information about the recall and the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and more updates on the outbreak, click here.

The Roanoke Rambler Staff