Clover Hill Dairy has expanded a previously issued recall tied to a listeria outbreak that has killed one person and left multiple hospitalized.
Based in Maryland, Clover Hill Dairy expanded its recall on June 18 to include all of its cheese products due to potential listeria contamination. As of June 18, one death was linked to the cheese products, in addition to eight hospitalizations and nine illnesses, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall report.
Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may only suffer short-term symptoms, a listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously issued an investigation notice and public health advisory on June 4 for Clover Hill Dairy’s soft ricotta cheese products.
Here’s what to know about the expanded Clover Hill Dairy recall.
What Clover Hill Dairy Cheese Products Are Recalled?
Here is a closer look at each of the recalled cheese products:
Product NameQuantity/Size
Soft Cuajada in Brine5-gallon bucket (30 pounds) and 2-gallon bucket (14 pounds)
Soft Cuajada (vacuum sealed)5-pound bags, 2.5-pound clam shell, 0.90-pound (14-ounce) clam shell
Cuajada (vacuum sealed)30-pound boxes
Ricotta5-gallon bucket (40 pounds), 2-gallon bucket (18 pounds), 2.5-pound tubs, 1-pound clam shell
Soft Cuajada CrumbsN/A
Mild Cheese Varieties: Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, Monterey Jack and Marble Jack1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pounds, 5-pounds and 40-pounds
Mild Cheese Varieties Snack Pack Assorted: Regular Mild Stix White Colby, Marble Jack and Yummy CheddarApprox. 0.40-pounds (6.4-ounces)
Mild Cheese Varieties 3-in-A-Pack Assorted: White Colby, Marble Jack and Yummy CheddarApprox. 0.20-pounds (3.2-ounces)
Mild Cheese Varieties: Fresh Cheddar Curd0.75-pounds and 1.50-pound boxes
Sharp Cheese Varieties: Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar and Monterey Jack1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pounds and 5-pounds
Sharp Cheese Snack Pack Sharp Stix White or YellowApprox. 0.40-pounds (6.4-ounces)
Flavored Cheese: Horseradish1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pounds, 5-pounds and 40-pounds
Flavored Cheese: Old Bay Cheddar1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pounds, 5-pounds and 40-pounds
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties: Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Sizzlin Colby with Habanero Peppers1/2-pound, 1-pound, 2.5-pounds, 5-pounds and 40-pounds
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties Snack Pack Assorted Pepper Jack Stix: Jalapeno Cheddar and Pepper JackApprox. 0.40-pounds (6.4-ounces)
Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties 3-in-a-Pack Assorted: Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Sizzlin ColbyApprox. 0.20-pounds (3.2-ounces)
Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties: Cheddar and White Cheddar1/2-pound and 1-pound
Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties: Jalapeno Cheddar1/2-pound pieces and 1-pound pieces
The label on the clamshell containers should identify Clover Hill Dairy’s manufacturer’s permit as “24-128,” according to the FDA report.
The recalled products may be relabeled under a different brand name, including “KESSO,” “QUESOS LA RICURA,” “IZALCO,” “DE MI PUEBLO” and “RIO LINDO,” according to the FDA report.
Where Were the Recalled Clover Hill Dairy Cheese Products Sold?
The recalled cheese products were sold from Clover Hill Dairy’s retail market, in addition to farmers markets and third-party distributors in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., according to the FDA report.
What to Do If You Own the Recalled Cheese Products
Do not eat, serve or sell the recalled cheese products. Return to place of purchase for a refund.
People at higher risk, those who may have had contaminated cheese in the home and businesses that may have had the cheese are advised to take precautions, including:
- Cleaning refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cheese. Wash surfaces with warm, soapy water before sanitizing them with a solution mix of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach and one gallon of water.
- Washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and/or possibly contaminated surfaces.
- Call a healthcare provider right away if you feel ill after eating potentially contaminated food.
Consumers with questions may contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission on behalf of Clover Hill Dairy at 240-528-8850 (ext. 327) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Poisoning?
Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to adults over 65, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.
Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food, but may begin as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. According to the CDC, symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
- Death
People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food should seek medical attention.
Reporting by Greta Cross and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY.
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