Texas firm recalls head cheese, fears salmonella

Houston firm recalls almost 2½ tons of hog head cheese, says it may be tainted with salmonella

HOUSTON (AP) -- A Houston head cheese maker is recalling almost 2½ tons of hog head cheese it says may be tainted with salmonella.

A Thursday statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says Stallings Head Cheese Co. is recalling 4,700 pounds of the cold cuts shipped to a distribution center for retail distribution in Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

The 10-ounce packages of Richard's Hog Head Cheese bear the establishment number "EST.2257" inside the USDA inspection mark and sell-by dates "Use by 2 1 2013" or "Use by 3 20 2013."

The products have been linked to six recent cases of salmonella treated in Louisiana.

Hog head cheese is a gelatinous mixture of meat from a hog's head popular in Cajun cuisine.

Salmonella contamination can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.