Listeria Soft Cheese Outbreak: Recalled Requeson Cheeses Linked to a Death – What You Need to Know
Reviewed by the HealthyMag Editorial Team. Last updated: July 2026. This is a developing story; check CDC and FDA for the latest updates.
A soft cheese found in refrigerators across the Mid-Atlantic is at the center of a deadly, still-unfolding food-safety investigation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say a strain of Listeria monocytogenes has been traced to requeson — a fresh, ricotta-style cheese popular in Salvadoran and Mexican cooking — and the products have now been recalled. One person has died, and health officials are urging shoppers to check their kitchens right away.
This is a fast-moving story, and the official numbers may change as more illnesses are confirmed. Here is what has been verified so far, who is most at risk, and exactly what to do if you have the recalled cheese at home.
What’s happening: a deadly multistate Listeria outbreak
According to the CDC’s most recent public update, as of June 24, 2026, a total of 12 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria across 4 states — Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Of those, 10 people have been hospitalized, and one person has died.
Investigators have described this as a multi-year outbreak: samples from people who got sick were collected on dates ranging from March 2023 through June 2026. That long span reflects how Listeria outbreaks are often uncovered — health departments use DNA fingerprinting (whole genome sequencing) to connect illnesses that may be months or years apart to a single contaminated source.
The cheese has been traced to requeson manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC, of Mechanicsville, Maryland. Testing done by the Maryland Department of Health found Listeria in six requeson cheese samples and in an environmental sample from the production setting, and genetic sequencing matched the bacteria in the cheese to the bacteria making people sick — a strong link between product and illness.
Because the true number of people affected in any Listeria outbreak is usually higher than the confirmed count — and because some recent illnesses may not yet be reported — officials expect the investigation to continue. Consider these figures a snapshot “as of” late June 2026, not a final tally.
Which products are recalled
On June 26, 2026, La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. announced a recall of requeson cheese repackaged and sold under the La Colonia and Selectos Latinos brands. The products were sold as “Requeson Salvadoreno” (ricotta-style Salvadoran cheese) and “Requeson Mexicano” (Mexican-style cottage cheese). Related bulk requeson traced to Clover Hill Dairy has also been part of the wider recall.
Here are the confirmed recalled products:
| Brand | Product | Size | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Colonia | Salvadoreno Requeson (Soft Ricotta Cheese) | 14 oz | 736846383099 |
| Selectos Latinos | Requeson Salvadoreno (Ricotta Style Salvadorean Cheese) | 16 oz | 767787984526 |
| Selectos Latinos | Requeson Mexicano (Mexican Cottage Cheese) | 16 oz | 767787984519 |
| Clover Hill | Requeson (bulk bucket) | 18 lb | — |
Where it was sold: The recalled cheese was distributed to supermarkets, retail stores, and restaurants in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., between May 11 and June 1, 2026. Because it also went to restaurants and food-service buyers, some people may have eaten it without ever seeing a package or label.
The recall covers all lots within the products’ shelf life. Clover Hill Dairy products may show a manufacturer permit or plant number of 24-128. If you cannot confirm whether your requeson is affected, treat it as suspect and do not eat it. Fresh soft cheeses like these are highly perishable, so most of the recalled product bought in May and early June has likely already been consumed or discarded — but any that remains in a freezer or the back of a fridge is the concern.
What you should do right now
If you bought requeson, cottage cheese, or a ricotta-style soft cheese in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., in May or early June 2026, take these steps:
- Do not eat it. You cannot see, smell, or taste Listeria — contaminated cheese looks and tastes normal.
- Check the label against the brands, product names, sizes, and UPCs above. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Throw it away or return it. Discard the cheese in a sealed bag so animals and other people can’t get to it, or return it to the store for a refund.
- Clean your refrigerator. Listeria can survive cold temperatures and spread to other foods and surfaces. Wash any shelves, drawers, and containers the cheese touched with hot, soapy water, then sanitize.
- Wash your hands and utensils after handling the recalled product.
- Watch your health for the next couple of months (more on the timeline below), especially if you’re in a higher-risk group.
Why Listeria is especially dangerous
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne bacterium. For many healthy adults, an infection may cause only short-lived stomach upset — or no symptoms at all. But for certain groups, listeriosis can be severe or even fatal. The people at highest risk are:
- Pregnant women and their babies. Pregnant people are far more likely to get listeriosis, and the infection can be devastating for the pregnancy even when the parent feels only mildly ill. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn. In this outbreak, reporting has described a pregnancy loss among those affected — a stark reminder of the stakes.
- Newborns, who can be infected before or during birth.
- Adults 65 and older, whose immune defenses are naturally weaker.
- People with weakened immune systems, including those with cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, HIV, or who take medicines that suppress immunity (such as steroids or transplant drugs).
This is why a soft-cheese recall is treated so urgently. Soft, fresh cheeses are a classic vehicle for Listeria, and the bacterium keeps growing even at refrigerator temperatures.
Listeria symptoms and the long incubation period
One of the trickiest things about Listeria is timing. Symptoms can appear anywhere from the same day up to about 70 days after eating contaminated food, though they most often show up within one to four weeks. That means someone who ate the recalled cheese in May could still develop symptoms into July or beyond.
Symptoms depend on the person and how far the infection has spread:
| Group | Common symptoms | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant people | Fever, fatigue, muscle aches (may feel like the flu); serious harm can occur to the baby even if the parent feels only mildly ill | Days to weeks after exposure |
| Older adults & immunocompromised | Fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions (signs the infection has reached the nervous system) | Usually 1–4 weeks; up to ~70 days |
| Otherwise healthy adults | Sometimes none; or diarrhea, fever, and other short-lived stomach symptoms | Often within 24 hours to a few days |
Because the incubation period is so long, don’t assume you’re in the clear just because you feel fine days after eating the cheese. Keep an eye on how you feel over the coming weeks.
When to seek medical care
Call a doctor or seek care if you ate a recalled product and develop fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions — especially if you’re pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. If you’re in a higher-risk group, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen; contact a clinician promptly. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics, and starting treatment early matters.
Special guidance for pregnancy: If you are pregnant and ate any of the recalled cheese, call your doctor or midwife even if you feel completely well. Your clinician can advise whether monitoring, testing, or preventive antibiotics are appropriate. Early action can be protective for the baby, and a mild “flu-like” feeling can be the only outward sign of an infection that is dangerous to a pregnancy.
None of this is a diagnosis. Only a healthcare professional can evaluate your situation — if you’re worried, reach out to them and mention that you may have eaten a product linked to a Listeria outbreak.
How to lower your Listeria risk generally
Beyond this specific recall, a few habits can reduce your risk of listeriosis from soft cheeses and other foods:
- Choose cheeses made from pasteurized milk, and be cautious with fresh, soft cheeses (like queso fresco, requeson, panela, brie, and feta) if you’re pregnant or otherwise high-risk.
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and clean up spills promptly — Listeria grows in the cold.
- Use ready-to-eat and perishable foods quickly, and don’t ignore “use by” dates on soft cheeses and deli items.
- Heat higher-risk foods until steaming hot (165°F / 74°C) if you’re in a vulnerable group — proper cooking kills Listeria.
- Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils after handling raw or ready-to-eat foods, and keep them separate from other foods.
- Pay attention to recalls, like the recent GreenWise blueberries E. coli outbreak, and act quickly when a product you have is named.
Where to get official updates
This investigation is ongoing, and the case counts and product list could expand. For the most current, authoritative information, rely on the CDC and FDA outbreak pages linked in the Sources below, and check your state and local health department alerts. You can also follow our breaking health news coverage for updates as they’re confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cheeses are being recalled?
La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. recalled requeson (soft, ricotta-style cheese) sold as “Requeson Salvadoreno” and “Requeson Mexicano” under the La Colonia and Selectos Latinos brands, including La Colonia Salvadoreno Requeson (14 oz, UPC 736846383099), Selectos Latinos Requeson Salvadoreno (16 oz, UPC 767787984526), and Selectos Latinos Requeson Mexicano (16 oz, UPC 767787984519). Bulk Clover Hill requeson (18 lb) is also involved. The cheese was sold in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
What are the symptoms of listeria?
Symptoms range from fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea to more serious signs when the infection spreads to the nervous system: headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant people often feel only mild, flu-like symptoms — fever, fatigue, and muscle aches — even when the infection is serious for the baby.
How long after eating listeria do symptoms appear?
Symptoms can start within a day or take much longer to appear — up to about 70 days after eating contaminated food, though most people develop symptoms within one to four weeks. Because of this long incubation period, someone who ate the recalled cheese in May could still get sick weeks later, so continue to watch how you feel.
Why is listeria dangerous during pregnancy?
Pregnant people are much more likely to get listeriosis, and the infection can cross to the baby. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn — even when the pregnant person feels only mildly ill. That’s why pregnant people who ate the recalled cheese should call their doctor even without symptoms.
What should I do if I ate the recalled cheese?
Watch for symptoms over the next several weeks. If you develop fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance, contact a healthcare provider and mention the possible Listeria exposure. If you are pregnant, 65 or older, or immunocompromised, call your doctor promptly — and if you’re pregnant, call even if you feel fine.
Can you cook listeria out of cheese?
Heating food until it is steaming hot (165°F / 74°C) can kill Listeria. However, health officials advise you not to try to salvage recalled cheese by cooking it — throw it away or return it. Fresh soft cheeses like requeson are typically eaten cold, and there’s no safe way to guarantee you’ve heated every part enough. When a product is recalled, discarding it is the safe choice.
Who is most at risk from listeria?
The highest-risk groups are pregnant women and their babies, newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems (from conditions like cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or HIV, or from immune-suppressing medications). Otherwise healthy people may have only mild symptoms or none at all.
How many people are sick?
As of the CDC’s June 24, 2026 update, 12 people across 4 states (Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia) have been infected with the outbreak strain, 10 have been hospitalized, and one person has died. These numbers are “as of” that date and may rise as the investigation continues.
The Bottom Line
A deadly Listeria outbreak has been linked to requeson soft cheese sold under the La Colonia and Selectos Latinos brands in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. If you have any of the recalled products — or aren’t sure — don’t eat them; throw them away or return them, and clean your fridge. Because Listeria can take up to about 10 weeks to cause symptoms, stay alert over the coming weeks, especially if you’re pregnant, 65 or older, or immunocompromised. Pregnant people who ate the cheese should call their doctor even without symptoms. This is a developing story, so check the CDC and FDA for the latest confirmed numbers and guidance.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Soft Cheese (June 2026),” 2026, https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-soft-cheese-june-2026
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Listeria Outbreak Linked to Soft Cheese,” 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/soft-cheese-06-26/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Investigation Update: Listeria Outbreak, June 2026,” 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/soft-cheese-06-26/investigation.html
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. Recalls Cottage Cheese Products Because of Possible Health Risk,” 2026, https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/la-ceiba-foods-latin-market-inc-recalls-cottage-cheese-products-because-possible-health-risk
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “CDC Warns of Listeria Outbreak Linked to Requeson/Soft Ricotta Cheese,” 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2026/cdc-warns-of-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-requeson-soft-ricotta-cheese.html
