Federal health agencies are warning consumers about a multistate listeria outbreak that has already killed one person and sickened many others in several states.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an investigative notice and public health advisory on Thursday, June 4, after eight people in three states became ill. Of those eight, seven were hospitalized – the hospitalization rate was 87.5% – and one died.
Both agencies have warned that the actual number of sick people may be much higher.
Whole genome sequencing, a technique used to detect and identify specific strains of bacteria, traced the illnesses to soft cheese produced by Maryland-based manufacturer Clover Hill Dairy after two people in New York became ill after eating it in May. Through testing, agencies found that the outbreak strain of Listeria was the same one that began sickening people in March 2023.
Testing at Clover Hill Dairy’s facility found listeria in an 18-pound, unopened bucket of sealed expected cheese. Clover Hill has since issued a voluntary recall, and Maryland has suspended the dairy’s operating license pending further investigation.
The cheese was likely repackaged, relabeled, and distributed to locations other than those currently tracked by the FDA. Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing investigation and recall.
Products recalled in listeria outbreak
Soft cheese produced by one company has been linked to the outbreak. Paneer has been recalled.
But the FDA said it has not yet determined whether it is the sole product responsible for the outbreak. More foods may be added to the list as investigation continues.
So far, the recalls include:
- All Clover Hill Dairy soft ricotta/Requesson cheeses. They can come in many flavors, such as jalapeno. The Clover Hill Dairy producer permit (or plant) number should be listed as “24-128” on the container label.
The cheese may be relabeled under a different name, so consumers should check the manufacturer’s information on the package.
Where did people get sick?
At present the cheese has been confirmed to be sold in three states.
The cheese was sold directly by Clover Hill Dairy in Maryland and through farmers’ markets and third-party distributors in New York and Virginia. The FDA believes it may have been sold in other states at locations that have not yet been identified.
As of June 4, eight people in three states were sick, according to the CDC. Seven of them were hospitalized and one died.
- Maryland (3 cases)
- New York (2 cases)
- Virginia (3 cases)
What to do if you miss cheese?
The CDC advises not to eat any of the recalled cheese, and people should throw it away or return the cheese to where they purchased it.
People at higher risk, who may have contaminated cheese in their home, and businesses that may have 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 cleaning with a solution of one teaspoon chlorine bleach and one gallon of water.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after touching food and/or potentially contaminated surfaces.
- If you feel sick after eating potentially contaminated food, call a health care provider immediately.
What are the symptoms of listeria poisoning?
According to the CDC, Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for adults over the age of 65, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
Symptoms usually begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but may begin the same day or up to 10 weeks later. According to the CDC, symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Muscle pain.
- Headache.
- stiff neck.
- Confusion.
- Loss of balance.
- Objection.
- Diarrhea.
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborns.
- Death.
People in the high-risk category who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical attention.
Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY/USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
