CDC and state health officials investigate multistate Listeria outbreak linked to soft-ripened cheese sold at Whole Foods Market, prompting nationwide recall and public warning to high-risk consumers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health officials investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to soft-ripened cheeses sold at Whole Foods Market in 2013. The outbreak involved five hospitalized patients who consumed Crave Brothers cheeses, prompting a nationwide recall and warnings to high-risk consumers, officials said.

The five Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to the outbreak were confirmed through laboratory testing and occurred across multiple states, with all patients requiring hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiologic investigations identified three varieties of Crave Brothers soft-ripened cheeses—Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with truffles—as the common food exposure among all patients, officials said. Patients reported consuming these cheeses at both restaurants and retail grocery stores, indicating multiple points of sale rather than a single distribution source.

According to CDC records, hospitalization rates in soft-cheese-related Listeria outbreaks often exceed 80 to 90 percent of reported cases.

Following the identification of Crave Brothers cheeses as the likely source, public health authorities initiated a nationwide recall of the implicated products to prevent further illnesses. The recall was part of a coordinated response involving the CDC, state health departments, and the Food and Drug Administration. The CDC issued food safety alerts advising consumers, particularly those at higher risk for severe listeriosis—including pregnant women, older adults, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems—to avoid consuming the recalled cheeses and to discard or return any remaining products.

Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is a serious infection known for high hospitalization rates and potential fatality, especially among vulnerable populations. Previous outbreaks linked to soft cheeses have resulted in double-digit case counts and deaths, underscoring the severity of such contamination events.

Soft-ripened cheeses have been repeatedly implicated in multistate Listeria outbreaks. In addition to the 2013 Crave Brothers outbreak, other investigations have linked soft and fresh cheeses sold under various retail brands, including Whole Foods Market’s 365 brand, to Listeria infections. For example, a 2024 multistate outbreak associated with Rizo-López Foods involved more than 60 recalled dairy products such as queso fresco, Cotija cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under multiple brand names, including 365 Whole Foods Market. That outbreak resulted in 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 11 states, according to CDC and FDA reports.

Whole Foods Market has also voluntarily recalled soft wash-rind raw milk cheeses from Vulto Creamery—specifically the Ouleout and Miranda varieties—from nine stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York. The recall followed findings of Listeria contamination in FDA testing, which detected Listeria monocytogenes in Ouleout lot #617 and possible contamination in lot #623, as reported by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. These cheeses were cut and repackaged in clear plastic wrap and labeled with PLU codes 0200305 and 0200306, with “sell by” dates ranging from December 27, 2016, to March 28, 2017.

The CDC and regulatory agencies use epidemiologic interviews and laboratory analyses, including whole genome sequencing, to link Listeria infections to specific products and brands. In the 2013 outbreak, all five patients reported consuming Crave Brothers cheeses, which guided investigators to identify and recall the contaminated products. Similar investigative approaches have been employed in other outbreaks, such as a 2023 multistate cluster linked to Clover Hill Dairy’s requesón cheese, which resulted in 15 confirmed infections across four states.

The recurring pattern of multistate Listeria outbreaks linked to soft cheeses highlights the ongoing risk associated with these products. Scientific studies and outbreak investigations have shown that soft cheeses, including those made from pasteurized milk, remain vulnerable to contamination due to post-pasteurization exposure and the ability of Listeria to grow in refrigerated environments. Health authorities continue to monitor and respond to such outbreaks, issuing recalls and public warnings to protect consumers.

The CDC and FDA maintain active surveillance and coordination with state agencies to identify additional cases and contaminated products. Public health officials emphasize that high-risk groups should exercise caution with all soft cheeses, especially during outbreaks, and adhere to recall notices to reduce the risk of listeriosis.