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Ontarians Reminded to Avoid Recalled Headcheese Products

One Salmonella Chester Case in Ontario

July 23, 2010

News

Ontarians are reminded to avoid headcheese products that have been the subject of two recent food recalls.

On July 14, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall of Freybe brand headcheese because it may be contaminated with Salmonella Chester. The product was distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northwestern Ontario, Yukon, and may have been distributed nationally. All products sold up to and including July 14, 2010 are affected by this recall.

The Freybe brand headcheese has been linked to 17 confirmed cases of Salmonella Chester in B.C. and 1 confirmed case in Ontario.

On July 21, 2010, the CFIA recalled all flavours of Brandt brand headcheese because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The affected products have been distributed nationally. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Headcheese is a deli product made from meat from the head of a pig, combined with gelatin and spices. It is often repackaged at deli counters in retail stores, and may not include the original brand name and/or Best Before dates. Consumers who have headcheese in their fridge, and who are uncertain if it is associated with these recalls, should contact the store where it was purchased to identify the brand and determine if it is a recalled product.

QUOTES

“Salmonella can cause serious illness and, in rare cases, death among the very young, elderly and those with weakened immune systems arising from chronic medical conditions. People need to avoid the recalled headcheese products.”
-- Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health

QUICK FACTS

• Salmonella Chester is a form of Salmonella that causes gastroenteritis in humans
• Symptoms of salmonellosis may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever
• Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in some people, such as children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems
• Symptoms of salmonellosis generally occur within 6 to 72 hours after exposure to contaminated food and may last 2 to 5 days.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Salmonella online.

Find out more about the Salmonella Chester outbreak.

Learn more about the food recall.

Contact your local public health unit.

Members of the media :

Andrew Morrison, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health-news