August 13, 2010
In light of recent recalls of headcheese products contaminated with Salmonella Chester, the Public Health Agency of Canada is advising Canadians to take all necessary precautions to ensure that they avoid the recalled food products. This is particularly important for those who are at high risk of getting seriously ill from Salmonella: people 60 years and older and people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing cancer treatments or who have HIV/AIDS or other chronic medical conditions.
People in these high risk groups may have immune systems that aren’t working at full strength and therefore may be more susceptible to serious illness from Salmonella.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to work closely with the provinces and territories to identify cases of illness associated with this outbreak.
Most of those who have become ill are older than 70 years of age. The source of the outbreak is Freybe Gourmet Foods Ltd headcheese manufactured by Brandt Meat Packers. Both companies have recalled headcheese products, although only the Freybe brand is linked to the illnesses.
The following table lists the number of confirmed cases in each province and territory.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, typically start 6 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated product and can include
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Cramping abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Headache.
These symptoms usually last about four to seven days and often go away without treatment.
Headcheese is a deli product made from meat from the head of a pig, combined with gelatine 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 refrigerator, and who are uncertain if it is associated with this recall, should contact the store where it was purchased to identify the brand and determine if it is a recalled product.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to investigate the source of the Salmonella contamination in the affected headcheese. If it is determined that there are additional affected products, CFIA will immediately notify consumers and ensure that the products are removed from the marketplace.
Health Canada recommends that older adults protect themselves against food-borne illness by avoiding foods that are at greater risk of contamination by certain bacteria. Those foods include undercooked eggs and meat, unpasteurized milk and non-dried deli meats. A full list, as well as safer alternatives, is available on the Health Canada website or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
The Government of Canada, through the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is working closely with all provinces and territories and with manufacturers and distributors of the affected products to protect the health of Canadians.
More information on the recalled products and on how to safely handle and prepare foods is available on the Government of Canada food safety web portal or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
