Amish Dairy Recalls Cheese In 5 States – And D.C. – Over Listeria Contamination

Clover Hill Dairy sign in Mechanicsville, Maryland — Clover Hill Dairy in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The Amish-owned farm store sells cheese products at its local store and in multiple states. Photo: Lauren Y. Zimmerman

An Amish-owned dairy in Maryland is recalling all of its cheese products over possible listeria contamination, with distribution having reached five states and Washington, D.C.

To date, nine people in multiple states have been identified as infected with this listeria outbreak strain. That includes one person who died in Maryland in 2023.

Clover Hill Dairy, based in Mechanicsville, Maryland, first issued a voluntary recall of its soft ricotta/requeson cheese products in early June. Following an expanded advisory from the Maryland Department of Health on June 9, Clover Hill agreed to voluntarily recall all of its cheese products.

The dairy has ceased production and distribution. Its operating license was suspended by the state on May 30, and the MDH is now doing follow-up evaluations at the facility.

One of the cheese products included in the recall. Photo: Maryland Department of Health

Which States Are Affected?

The recall concerns products distributed from May 4 through May 30, 2026. The products went to the following states:

Maryland
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Virginia
Along with Washington, D.C.

Clover Hill Dairy operates a retail market in the sizeable St. Mary’s County, MD Amish community. The products in question were sold there, at farmers’ markets, and through third-party distributors.

maryland amish buggy — The Mechanicsville area of St. Mary’s County is home to the state’s largest Amish settlement

Cheese Products Included In The Recall

The full recall list is extensive, and includes over two dozen products. NBC Washington says that it includes the following (I assume “includes” provides some wiggle room in case something got left off):

Soft and Semi-Soft “Spanish Style Cheese Varieties”

Cuajada
Soft Cuajada
Soft Cuajada in Brine
Soft Cujada Crumbs
Ricotta/Requeson
Soft Ricotta w/ Jalapeno’s (Requeson Con Chile)

Mild Cheese Varieties

Yummy Cheddar
White Cheddar
White Colby
Monterey Jack
Marble Jack
Fresh Cheddar Curd
Snack Pack – Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack, and Yummy Cheddar)
3-in-A-Pack – Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack, and Yummy Cheddar)

Hard Cheese Varieties

Yummy Cheddar
White Cheddar
White Colby
Snack Pack Sharp Stix

Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties

Cheddar
White Cheddar

Flavored Cheeses

Horseradish
Old Bay Cheddar

Pepper Cheese Varieties

Jalapeno Cheddar
Pepper Jack
Sizzlin’ Colby (with Habanero Peppers)
Snack Pack- Assorted Pepper Stix (Jalapeno Cheddar and Pepper Jack)
3-in-A-Pack – Assorted (Jalapendo Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Sizzlin Colby)

Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties

Jalapeno Cheddar

Some of the cheese was also sold in bulk 2-gallon and 5-gallon buckets. If you bought Clover Hill Dairy cheese, the Maryland Department of Health says the key identifier is manufacturer (or plant) permit number 24-128 on the label.

Also: Be aware that these cheeses might be sold under other labels. Those include: KESSO, QUESOS LA RICURA, IZALCO, DE MI PUEBLO, and RIO LINDO (again, “include” means that there may be others).

Some of the cheese was sold in two- and five-gallon buckets.

Listeria Infection and What To Do If You Bought The Cheese

Naturally, the MDH says that “Consumers, retailers and restaurants should not eat, sell or serve cheese products from Clover Hill Dairy, and should dispose of any product containing them.”

As to the dangers of listeria infection, the young, elderly, and pregnant women are among those most potentially at risk. From the company announcement:

Listeria monocytogenes, [is] an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and still births among pregnant women.

Unfortunately, this happens from time to time to cheese and other food producers. And it isn’t the first time an Amish cheese company has issued a recall. Tragically, it appears someone has died in this case.

States affected in the Clover Hill Dairy cheese recall (along with Washington, D.C.). Map image: fda.gov

At this stage the most important thing is that they detected it and are addressing it before it can expand further. Clover Hill addressed the situation in its recall announcement, as reported by the FDA:

“Clover Hill Dairy board and staff members sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and hardships caused by this recall. We sincerely hope to correct this problem as soon as it is safely possible.”

If you bought affected products, you can return them to the place of purchase in original packaging for a full refund. Questions can be directed to the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission on behalf of Clover Hill Dairy at 240-528-8850, extension 327. For further details, check out the more extensive information found at the FDA recall notice.