An Amish-run creamery in southern Maryland has yanked its soft cheeses from shelves after state health officials raised the alarm about possible Listeria contamination.
Clover Hill Dairy, a Mechanicsville farm operation, has voluntarily recalled its requesón and soft ricotta after the Maryland Department of Health flagged potential Listeria monocytogenes in the products. State officials say the cheese should not be eaten, sold or served while they trace where it went and test additional samples.
What Was Recalled
The recall involves tubs of requesón and soft ricotta produced by Clover Hill Dairy that carry the manufacturer permit or plant number “24-128.” According to WMAR-2 News, the Maryland Department of Health is urging consumers, retailers and restaurants to toss or return any products containing these cheeses and to double-check labels, since the cheese may have been relabeled under other brand names in distribution.
The station reports that Clover Hill sells its products at its on-site retail market, at farmers markets and through third-party distributors that reach into other states, including New York and Virginia.
Why Listeria Matters
Listeria monocytogenes is not your garden-variety kitchen bug. It can cause listeriosis, an infection that can be serious or even fatal for pregnant people, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to high fever, stiff neck and confusion in more severe cases. Unlike many bacteria, Listeria can hang out and even grow at normal refrigerator temperatures, which is why ready-to-eat soft cheeses routinely land on public health watch lists.
What To Do If You Bought This Cheese
If you spot the Clover Hill manufacturer permit number 24-128 on tubs in your fridge, do not eat the cheese. State officials say you should either return it to the place of purchase or throw it away.
To avoid cross-contamination, clean and sanitize refrigerator shelves, containers and utensils that may have touched the product. The Food and Drug Administration recommends thorough cleaning of surfaces and careful handwashing after handling items that could be contaminated.
Pregnant people and others at higher risk are advised to contact a health care provider right away if they develop fever, muscle aches or gastrointestinal symptoms after exposure to the recalled cheese.
Where This Cheese Is Made
Clover Hill Dairy produces its cheese on site at a Mechanicsville farmstand and lists its location and operating details on its website. In photos, the dairy’s tubs show a label featuring the manufacturer permit number and the farm address.
The cheeses are sold at the farm’s retail market, at farmers markets and through distributors, WMAR-2 News reports. The producer’s site lists the farmstand address as 27925 Woodburn Hill Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.
Who Is Watching And What Comes Next
The Maryland Department of Health is overseeing the investigation and has authority to suspend permits and order product removals while testing and tracing continue.
For official updates and consumer guidance, check the department’s newsroom at the Maryland Department of Health. Consumers with product-specific questions can also reach out directly to Clover Hill Dairy using the contact information on the company’s website.
