You may want to check the cheese in your fridge before your next snack.
The list of products included in a previous cheese recall has dramatically expanded. The recall is over fears that the select cheeses could be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which is responsible for a current outbreak in three states. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
On Thursday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a recall notice from
Clover Hill Dairy, LLC of Mechanicsville, Maryland. The recall notice announced the dramatic expansion of a voluntary recall that Clover Hill Dairy initiated just a few weeks earlier.
The original recall saw Clover Hill Dairy voluntarily recall all of its Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese products due to fears they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The new recall expands the product list to include all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese over fears the products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
What products are included in the recall?
The latest recall notice states that the following Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses are included in the recall:
- 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, 1-lb, 2.5-lbs, 5-lbs, 40-lbs
- Mild Cheese Varieties – Snack Pack Assorted Regular Mild
Stix White Colby, Marble Jack, Yummy Cheddar: Approx 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz) - Mild Cheese Varieties – 3-in-A-Pack Assorted White Colby, Marble Jack, Yummy Cheddar: Approx. 0.20-lbs (3.2-oz)
- Mild Cheese Varieties – Fresh Cheddar Curd: 0.75-lb box, 1.50-lb box
- Sharp Cheese Varieties – Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, Monterey Jack: 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lbs, 5-lbs
- Sharp Cheese Snack Pack Sharp Stix White or Yellow: Regular size Approx 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz)
- Flavored Cheese – Horseradish: 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lb, 5-lb, 40-lb
- Flavored Cheese – Old Bay Cheddar: 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lb, 5-lb, 40-lb
- Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties – Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby with Habanero Peppers: 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lb, 5-lb, 40-lb
- Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties – Snack Pack Assorted Pepperjack Stix – Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack: Regular size Approx 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz)
- Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties – 3-in-a-Pack Assorted Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby: Approx. 0.20-lbs (3.2-oz)
- Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties – Cheddar, White Cheddar: 1/2-lb, 1-lb
- Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties – Jalapeno Cheddar: 1/2-lb pieces, 1-lb pieces
However, the recall notice states that the cheeses may also have been relabeled under different brand names when they were distributed. Those brand names include, but are not limited to:
- KESSO
- QUESOS LA RICURA
- IZALCO
- DE MI PUEBLO
- RIO LINDO
The recall notice states that “The label on clamshell containers should identify the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit (or plant) number as “24-128”.”
Where were the recalled products distributed?
According to the recall notice, the recalled products were distributed in the following locations:
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
However, in a separate publication on the outbreak, the FDA warns the recalled products “could have been distributed further, reaching additional states.”
The recall notice states that “Clover Hill Dairy products are sold directly from their retail market, at farmers markets, and through third party distributors.”
Has anyone been harmed in the outbreak?
Unfortunately, yes.
The FDA says that as of June 18, the outbreak has sickened 9 people. Eight of those individuals have required hospitalization. One individual has died.
The FDA says the incidents of illness related to the outbreak occurred in Maryland, New York, and Virginia.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria is a bacterium that can cause infections in people who consume it, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many people who become sickened with a Listeria infection often recover. However, a Listeria infection can be especially harmful to certain groups of people, including:
- Pregnant women
- Newborns
- Adults aged 65 or older
- People with weakened immune systems
In rare cases, a Listeria infection can cause death.
What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?
Symptoms of an invasive Listeria illness can include the following, according to the CDC:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
Symptoms of an intestinal Listeria illness can include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
What should I do if I have the recalled products?
The recall notice states that consumers who have the recalled products “should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled cheese.”
Instead, the recalled products should be returned to the point of purchase for a full refund.