Cheese Sold In NJ Recalled Amid Listeria Concerns, FDA Says

NEW JERSEY — A Maryland-based dairy company has recalled all of its cheese products due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to federal officials.

In a June 18 announcement, Clover Hill Dairy initiated a nationwide recall after potential contamination concerns were identified, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall includes all cheese products made by the company.

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The FDA said the recalled products were distributed in several states, including New Jersey, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

About Listeria Monocytogenes

According to federal health officials, Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious illness, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

In otherwise healthy individuals, infection can lead to symptoms such as fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Health officials also note the infection can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women.

The FDA said there have been nine reported illnesses, eight hospitalizations, and one death linked to the recalled products.

What The FDA Is Advising

The recall originally began after a separate distributor pulled a specific cheese product from stores in parts of the Northeast, before expanding into a full recall of all Clover Hill Dairy cheese products.

Consumers are advised not to eat, sell, or serve any of the recalled cheese products. The FDA recommends checking refrigerators and freezers for affected items and either discarding them or returning them to the place of purchase.

Officials also recommend that consumers, restaurants, and retailers clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products, noting that Listeria can survive in refrigerated environments and spread to other foods and surfaces.