The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is asking British Columbians who may have purchased Freybe headcheese to discard it or return it to their place of purchase as it may be associated with a salmonella outbreak.
Over the past two weeks, 10 cases of a rare strain of salmonella (S. Chester) have been identified among B.C. residents. The only common food consumed by these cases was headcheese, which had been purchased from various stores throughout the province from mid- to late June.
Headcheese is a deli product made from meat from the head of a pig, combined with gelatine and spices.
Freybe Gourmet Foods Ltd. is voluntarily recalling this product, which is produced by a third-party manufacturer. Because the headcheese is sliced and packaged at deli counters in various stores, most consumers may not be aware of the brand of headcheese purchased.
If you purchased headcheese from mid-June to July 13 and are sure if it's associated with the recall, call the store where it was purchased to identify the brand.
Symptoms of salmonella infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, fever and headache. They occur 72 hours after eating contaminated food, and can last a few days to a week.
If you have symptoms compatible with salmonella infection, call the 24-hour HealthLink BC line at 811, contact your family physician, view the BC HealthFiles on Salmonella and Food Safety at www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles, or visit www.bccdc.ca.
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