Listeria cheese recall expands after a death

Listeria cheese – A Clover Hill Dairy recall tied to Listeria monocytogenes has widened sharply, with the FDA expanding the list to cover all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses. As of June 18, the outbreak has sickened 9 people across Maryland, New York, and Virginia, with eight h

A snack that was supposed to be simple turned into something far more serious for some families—then, within weeks, the warning grew.

On Thursday. the US Food and Drug Administration published a recall notice from Clover Hill Dairy. LLC of Mechanicsville. Maryland. expanding a voluntary recall that had been announced only weeks earlier. The recall is tied to fears that certain Clover Hill cheeses could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. a bacterium linked to a current outbreak in three states.

The FDA’s latest notice doesn’t just widen the original set of products. It expands the recall so it now covers all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese, reflecting how quickly the risk assessment has expanded since the first warning.

The first recall was narrower: Clover Hill Dairy voluntarily recalled all of its Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese products because they were feared to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The new recall takes the next step and brings in every Clover Hill Dairy brand cheese.

The list of included products is extensive. The recall covers Soft Cuajada in Brine in 5-gallon buckets (30-lbs) and 2-gallon buckets (14-lbs). as well as Soft Cuajada in vacuum sealed packaging in 5-lb bags. 2.5-lb clam shell containers. and 0.90-lb (14-oz) clam shell containers. It also includes Cuajada in vacuum sealed 30-lb boxes. and Ricotta products in 5-gallon buckets (40-lbs). 2-gallon buckets (18-lbs). 2.5-lb tubs. and 1-lb clam shell containers.

Several other categories are named in full: Soft Cuajada Crumbs; Mild Cheese Varieties—Yummy Cheddar. White Cheddar. White Colby. Monterey Jack. Marble Jack—in 1/2-lb. 1-lb. 2.5-lbs. 5-lbs. and 40-lbs; and Mild Cheese Varieties—Snack Pack Assorted Regular MildStix White Colby. Marble Jack. Yummy Cheddar—in approximately 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz). plus 3-in-A-Pack Assorted White Colby. Marble Jack. Yummy Cheddar in approximately 0.20-lbs (3.2-oz). Fresh Cheddar Curd is listed in 0.75-lb and 1.50-lb boxes.

The FDA also includes Sharp Cheese Varieties—Cheddar, Yummy Cheddar, White Cheddar, Monterey Jack—in 1/2-lb, 1-lb, 2.5-lbs, and 5-lbs. Sharp Cheese Snack Pack Sharp Stix White or Yellow appears in regular size at approximately 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz). Flavored Cheese is covered as well. with Horseradish in 1/2-lb. 1-lb. 2.5-lb. 5-lb. and 40-lb sizes. and Old Bay Cheddar in the same set of sizes.

Pepper Jack Cheese Varieties are included for Jalapeno Cheddar. Pepper Jack. and Sizzlin Colby with Habanero Peppers. again listed across 1/2-lb. 1-lb. 2.5-lb. 5-lb. and 40-lb sizes. Snack Pack Assorted Pepperjack Stix—Jalapeno Cheddar and Pepper Jack—are listed at approximately 0.40-lbs (6.4-oz). and 3-in-a-Pack Assorted Jalapeno Cheddar. Pepper Jack. and Sizzlin Colby are listed at approximately 0.20-lbs (3.2-oz).

Smoked varieties appear in the notice too: Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties (Cheddar, White Cheddar) in 1/2-lb and 1-lb sizes, and Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties (Jalapeno Cheddar) in 1/2-lb pieces and 1-lb pieces.

Because cheeses may have moved through different distribution channels, the FDA warns that the products may have been relabeled under different brand names. Those names include KESSO, QUESOS LA RICURA, IZALCO, DE MI PUEBLO, and RIO LINDO.

The recall notice directs consumers to check labels on clamshell containers. It states that the label should identify the Clover Hill Dairy manufacturer permit (or plant) number as “24-128.”

Distribution was broad but not confined. The recall notice lists the products as distributed in Maryland. New Jersey. New York. North Carolina. Virginia. and Washington. D.C. The FDA also warns. in a separate publication on the outbreak. that the recalled products “could have been distributed further. reaching additional states.”.

Clover Hill Dairy products, the recall notice states, are sold directly from their retail market, at farmers markets, and through third party distributors.

The human cost is now part of the warning.

As of June 18, the FDA says the outbreak has sickened 9 people. Eight of those individuals required hospitalization, and one individual has died. The FDA says the incidents of illness related to the outbreak occurred in Maryland, New York, and Virginia.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause infections in people who consume it. according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people who become sickened recover. but the infection can be especially harmful to pregnant women. newborns. adults aged 65 or older. and people with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, the infection can cause death.

The CDC lists symptoms of invasive Listeria illness as fever, flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Symptoms of intestinal Listeria illness include diarrhea and vomiting.

For anyone checking their kitchen shelves, the FDA’s instructions are direct: consumers who have the recalled products “should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled cheese.” The recalled products should be returned to the point of purchase for a full refund.

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