CDC investigates Listeria outbreak connected to soft ricotta and requesón cheese

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an investigation into a Listeria outbreak connected to soft ricotta and requesón cheese, urging consumers and retailers to identify potentially contaminated products.

Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes listeriosis, prompted the warning after the CDC linked multiple illnesses to the dairy products. The agency did not specify the exact number of confirmed cases or the geographic scope of the outbreak in initial announcements.

Listeriosis poses particular risks for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Infected individuals may experience fever, muscle aches, and headache. Pregnant women can transmit the infection to their fetuses, potentially causing miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns.

The CDC recommended consumers discard soft ricotta and requesón cheese products they have at home, particularly those from brands identified in the investigation. The agency advised people to check product labels and purchase dates when determining whether items in their possession may pose a health risk.

Retailers were instructed to remove affected products from shelves and halt sales until the outbreak source is identified and controlled. Food distributors were notified to review their supply chains and recall potentially contaminated items from their inventories.

The investigation aims to pinpoint the specific manufacturer or production facility where contamination occurred. Listeria contamination in soft cheeses typically occurs during processing or packaging, and the bacterium can survive and multiply at refrigeration temperatures, distinguishing it from many other foodborne pathogens.

Consumers who believe they consumed contaminated cheese and develop symptoms should contact their healthcare providers. Symptoms may emerge one to four weeks after consuming contaminated food, though some cases develop within days.

The CDC continued working with state and local health departments to identify additional cases and determine the full scope of the outbreak. The agency expected to release additional details as the investigation progressed.