Clover Hill Dairy Expands Cheese Recall Over Listeria Risk — June 2026

Clover Hill Dairy of Mechanicsville, Maryland has expanded its recall to include all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese products currently on the market due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall, announced on June 18, 2026, covers a wide range of hard and soft cheese varieties sold directly from the company’s retail market, at farmers markets, and through third-party distributors across North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. As of the announcement, the outbreak linked to the company’s soft cheese products has resulted in 9 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, and 1 death.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

All Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses currently on the market are subject to this recall. The full list of affected products includes:

• Soft Cuajada in Brine — 5-gallon bucket (30-lbs), 2-gallon bucket (14-lbs)
• Soft Cuajada (vacuum sealed) — 5-lb bags, 2.5-lb clam shell, 0.90-lb (14-oz) clam shell
• Cuajada (vacuum sealed) — 30-lb boxes
• Ricotta — 5-gallon bucket (40-lbs), 2-gallon bucket (18-lbs), 2.5-lb tubs, 1-lb clam shell
• Soft Cuajada Crumbs
• Mild Cheese Varieties — Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, Monterey Jack, Marble Jack (1/2-lb to 40-lbs); Snack Pack and 3-in-A-Pack assorted varieties
• Mild Fresh Cheddar Curd — 0.75-lb box, 1.50-lb box
• Sharp Cheese Varieties — Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, Monterey Jack (1/2-lb to 5-lbs); Sharp Snack Pack Stix
• Flavored Cheese — Horseradish and Old Bay Cheddar (1/2-lb to 40-lbs)
• Pepper Jack Varieties — Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby with Habanero Peppers (1/2-lb to 40-lbs); Snack Pack and 3-in-a-Pack assorted varieties
• Smoked Cheddar — Cheddar, White Cheddar (1/2-lb, 1-lb)
• Smoked Pepper Jalapeno Cheddar — 1/2-lb and 1-lb pieces

Products may be relabeled under different brand names when distributed, including but not limited to KESSO, QUESOS LA RICURA, IZALCO, DE MI PUEBLO, and RIO LINDO. Consumers are urged to check manufacturer information on packages. Clamshell containers should identify the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit number as ’24-128′.

Why Was This Recall Issued?

The recall was issued because the cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. This expanded recall follows an initial recall of soft cheese products and is directly linked to an active outbreak investigation by the FDA. The outbreak has been connected to 9 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, and 1 death to date.

Who Is Affected?

Anyone who has purchased Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese — or cheese sold under the alternative brand names listed above — from retail stores, farmers markets, or through third-party distributors in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, or Washington, D.C. may be affected. The risk is especially serious for:

• Young children and infants
• Elderly or frail individuals
• Pregnant women (Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth)
• People with weakened immune systems

Healthy individuals may also experience short-term symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

What Should You Do?

• Do not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese products.
• Return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund.
• Check the manufacturer permit number ’24-128′ on clamshell containers to identify Clover Hill Dairy products that may be relabeled under other brand names.
• Contact Clover Hill Dairy via the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission at 240-528-8850, extension 327, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, with any questions.
• If you or someone in your household has consumed these products and is experiencing symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Official Statement

In their announcement, Clover Hill Dairy stated: ‘Clover Hill Dairy board and staff members sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and hardships caused by this recall, and we sincerely hope to correct this problem as soon as it is safely possible. Thank you for your understanding, we look forward to serving our valued customers again in the near future.’

The FDA has posted this company announcement as a public service. Consumers seeking more information can also refer to the FDA’s active outbreak investigation page for ‘Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Soft Cheese (June 2026).’