A Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least six people in Louisiana has prompted a recall of head cheese. Stallings Head Cheese Co., Inc., of Houston is recalling 4,700 pounds of hog head cheese that may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The products under recall include 10-oz. packages of Richard’s Hog Head Cheese that have “Use by 2 1 2013″ or “Use by 3 20 2013”on each package and bear the establishment number “EST. 2257” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recalled products were produced between November 1, 2012, and December 19, 2012 and shipped to a distribution center for retail distribution in Louisiana and southeastern Texas. Consumers who have this product at home should not eat it.
The Louisiana Office of Public Health, is working with FSIS on epidemiologic and traceback investigations of illnesses related to these ready-to eat pork products. Among case patients, illness onset dates ranged from October 16, 2012 to November 10, 2012. Four of those who became ill confirmed eating the brand under recall. Leftover product from consumers was not available for testing. However, retail samples of like product from different production dates underwent testing last week. Four of nine of those samples tested positive for Salmonella. Officials have not yet determined if strains found in the samples are a genetic match to those of the outbreak strain.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause illness if ingested. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone who has eaten the cheese and develops these symptoms should see a health care provider.
