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NATIONWIDE HEALTH ALERT: Clover Hill Dairy Expands Cheese Recall Following Illnesses and Death
Potential Listeria Contamination Prompts Warning for Relabeled Brands Across Multiple States
PENSACOLA, FL — Federal health officials and regional distributors are urging consumers to check their refrigerators following a major, expanded voluntary recall of all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses currently on the market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the announcement late Thursday, June 18, 2026, upgraded from a localized warning after serious foodborne illnesses were tied back to the company’s soft cheese products. To date, health officials have confirmed 9 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, and 1 tragic death linked directly to the consumption of the contaminated cheese.
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Pensacola, Fl. NewsWK —NATIONWIDE HEALTH ALERT: Clover Hill Dairy Expands Cheese Recall Following Illnesses and Death
Potential Listeria Contamination Prompts Warning for Relabeled Brands Across Multiple States
Federal health officials and regional distributors are urging consumers to check their refrigerators following a major, expanded voluntary recall of all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses currently on the market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the announcement late Thursday, June 18, 2026, upgraded from a localized warning after serious foodborne illnesses were tied back to the company’s soft cheese products. To date, health officials have confirmed 9 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, and 1 tragic death linked directly to the consumption of the contaminated cheese.
The Core Threat: Listeria monocytogenes
The Mechanicsville, Maryland-based dairy company expanded the recall due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Health Notice: Listeria is a highly resilient organism that can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly individuals, and anyone operating with a compromised immune system.
While otherwise healthy adults may experience short-term symptoms such as high fevers, severe headaches, physical stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, a Listeria infection poses an immediate danger to pregnant women, as it can trigger miscarriages and stillbirths.
Important for Travelers & Online Shoppers: Relabeled Brands
Clover Hill Dairy products are sold through third-party distributors, farmers markets, and direct retail markets in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Crucially for Gulf Coast residents who may travel or order specialty items online, these cheeses are frequently relabeled under different regional brand names. If you buy artisanal or imported-style cheeses, check your packaging for the following brand names:
- KESSO
- QUESOS LA RICURA
- IZALCO
- DE MI PUEBLO
- RIO LINDO
Consumers are urged to inspect the manufacturer parameters on their packages. If you are examining plastic clamshell containers, look closely at the label—the factory permit will explicitly identify the Clover Hill Dairy plant number as “24-128”.
Affected Product Inventory Breakdown
The expanded recall encompasses all soft and hard cheese varieties currently distributed on the market. Review the specific sizing and packaging combinations below:
| Cheese Category | Specific Varieties Included | Sizing & Packaging |
| Soft Cheeses | Soft Cuajada in Brine | 5-gallon bucket (30-lbs), 2-gallon bucket (14-lbs) |
| Soft Cuajada (vacuum sealed) | 5-lb bags, 2.5-lb clamshell, 0.90-lb (14-oz) clamshell | |
| Cuajada (vacuum sealed) | 30-lb boxes | |
| Ricotta | 5-gallon bucket (40-lbs), 2-gallon bucket (18-lbs), 2.5-lb tubs, 1-lb clamshell | |
| Soft Cuajada Crumbs | All sizes | |
| Mild Varieties | Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, White Colby, Monterey Jack, Marble Jack | 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lbs, 5-lbs, 40-lbs |
| Snack Packs / 3-in-A-Pack (Stix & Assorted) | Approx. 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz) and 0.20-lbs (3.2-oz) | |
| Fresh Cheddar Curd | 0.75-lb box, 1.50-lb box | |
| Sharp Varieties | Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, Monterey Jack | 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lbs, 5-lbs |
| Sharp Snack Pack (Sharp Stix White/Yellow) | Approx. 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz) | |
| Flavored & Pepper | Horseradish, Old Bay Cheddar | 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lb, 5-lb, 40-lb |
| Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Sizzlin Colby (with Habanero) | 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lb, 5-lb, 40-lb | |
| Pepper Jack Assorted Packs & Stix | Approx. 0.40-lbs and 0.20-lbs | |
| Smoked Varieties | Smoked Cheddar, Smoked White Cheddar | 1/2-lb pieces, 1-lb pieces |
| Smoked Pepper (Jalapeno Cheddar) | 1/2-lb pieces, 1-lb pieces |
Refund Instructions & What To Do Next
If you have any of these products in your possession, do not eat, serve, or sell them. * Returns: Customers should return the unused cheese immediately to the exact point of purchase to claim a full financial refund.
- Consumer Inquiries: Anyone with questions regarding the recall timeline or product verification can reach out to the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, acting on behalf of Clover Hill Dairy, at 240-528-8850 (Extension 327).
- Hours of Operation: Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
In an official public apology statement, the board and staff of Clover Hill Dairy emphasized their commitment to consumer safety:
“We 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.”
For real-time consumer alerts, regional infrastructure impacts, and emergency community updates across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, keep your browser locked to pensacola.newswk.com.
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