Maryland-based La Ceiba Foods Latin Market Inc. is recalling its cottage cheese products due to possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
The recall is applicable to Requeson Salvadoreno (Salvadoran Cottage Cheese) and Requeson Mexicano (Mexican Cottage Cheese) products sold under the Selectos Latinos and La Colonia brand names, the company said in a June 26 announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The impacted items were distributed to restaurants, retail stores, and supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
“Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems,” the announcement said.
“Healthy people may have short-lived symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirth in pregnant women.”
The recall was initiated after La Ceiba Foods was notified by supplier Clover Hill Dairy about a recall action linked to potential listeria contamination of products manufactured at the latter’s facility.
Meanwhile, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of listeria infection tied to Clover Hill’s requesón cheese products.
According to a June 24 update from the FDA, a total of 12 people have so far been infected in the outbreak across four states—Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. There have been 10 hospitalizations and one death.
Authorities collected biological samples from sick people between March 2023 and June 2026. Out of the 10 interviewed individuals, nine reported consuming cheese, with two eating requesón from Clover Hill.
In its update, the FDA said that the recalled Clover Hill items were sold across Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.
According to the La Ceiba announcement, 14 oz. packages of Salvadoreno Requeson, Soft Ricotta Cheese, with UPC code 736846383099, are being recalled under the La Colonia brand.
Under the Selectos Latinos brand, 16 oz. packages of Requeson Salvadoreno, Ricotta Style Salvadorean Style Cheese, with UPC 767787984526; and 16 oz. packages of Requeson Mexicano, Mexican Cottage Cheese, with UPC 767787984519, are under recall.
A bucket of requesón under the Clover Hill brand name, with 18 lb. package sizes are also being recalled, the announcement said.
All items expire on July 10. The recall includes all batches and lots within the expiry dates.
La Ceiba advised consumers not to eat, sell, or serve the recalled products. The affected items can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
“La Ceiba Foods sincerely regrets any inconvenience this recall may cause its customers and reaffirms its commitment to food safety and the quality of its products. The company continues to work closely with its suppliers and regulatory authorities to ensure the safety of the products it distributes,” La Ceiba said.
The Epoch Times reached out to La Ceiba Foods for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
Listeria is the fourth leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States.
Listeria infection can cause either an invasive or intestinal illness, the CDC said in a February 2025 report. Symptoms of intestinal illness typically start within 24 hours of eating contaminated food, with the condition lasting for one to three days. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. In some people, the intestinal illness may turn invasive.
If invasive, the listeria bacteria spread beyond the intestines. Symptoms usually begin two weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Among pregnant women, symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. In other people, symptoms typically include headache, fever, confusion, stiff neck, seizure, and loss of balance.
“Symptoms in pregnant women are usually mild. Some pregnant women never have symptoms,” the CDC said. However, infection during pregnancy can result in stillbirth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
