Avoid queso fresco-type cheeses in the interim!

This is the message of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to you and your household, especially if you have a senior citizen, an infant or a pregnant person living with you.

They have put this out because there is an outbreak of Listeriosis (also known as Listeria illness) in multiple states.

The Reason for the Warning

In the last three years, there has been a worrying increase in incidents of Listeria illness across the country. This outbreak spanned multiple states, with a good number of the affected being elders.

In line with their mandate, the FDA investigated the cause of these illnesses. The source was discovered to be requesón, a queso fresco-type cheese made by Clover Hill Dairy LLC. It is for this reason that the FDA is recommending that those at higher risk steer clear of all queso fresco-type cheeses.

To avoid any confusion or doubt, requesón, queso fresco and queso blanco are the cheeses in this category. They are staples for making some of America’s favorite foods like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, soups and salads.

They are the best environments for the foodborne Listeria monocytogenes bacteria because they stay fresh and moist all year round, while having low acidity.

The warning extends to pasteurized milk, although it is not as high risk as soft cheeses. In some cases, pasteurized milk and cheese can later become contaminated by Listeria during the process of handling and packaging, hence the need to be careful at this time.

Background: The Recent Listeria Outbreak

This warning comes as a result of an investigation into 15 cases of Listeriosis recorded from March 2023 through July 8 2026. These cases were recorded in the cities of New York, Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland. 14 of those patients were hospitalized and 1 person died.

Thirteen of these patients were interviewed as part of the investigations. Eleven of them reported eating soft cheese. Out of the 11 who ate soft cheese, 5 of them ate Clover Hill Dairy LLC’s requesón.

Health officials looked into the issues after the cheese-related cases came to light. Their investigation unearthed the bacteria in multiple samples of the cheese and in environmental samples from the Clover Hill Dairy facility.

The company took responsibility and recalled its soft ricotta/requesón products in June. Later, they expanded the recall to all Clover Hill Dairy cheese products made at its facility.

The main reason for the FDA’s message is that there is a chance that some Clover Hill Dairy products may have been repackaged or sold under other brand names. Brands identified to have repackaged Clover Hill Dairy cheese products at this time include Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, De mi Pueblo, and Rio Lindo.

What Should Older Adults Eat Instead?

The FDA is not saying, “avoid cheese!” altogether. It’s only saying people should avoid queso fresco-type cheeses in the interim.

The FDA also recognizes the fact that some people may only be able to stomach queso fresco-type cheeses. If this describes you, make sure you buy only those with a clear brand name on their packaging, and those that are made with pasteurized milk. Store them at 40° F or below in your fridge.

Cook them until they are steaming hot before you eat them. Make sure that every surface that the cheese has come in contact with is thoroughly cleaned.

Watch out for any of these early symptoms that have been linked to Listeria disease, and please see your doctor if they persist:

• Fever
• Aching muscles
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In serious cases, Listeriosis can cause:

• Serious headaches
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Seizures

Go see your doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms, especially if you have had cheese or a cheese-based diet in the last 70 days.

Listeria disease affects more senior citizens than it does others. The CDC says that this age group accounts for more than half of the cases recorded. For this reason, the FDA is warning everyone, and not just those in the states where the recent outbreak happened.