ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- A North Carolina company is voluntarily recalling packages of unpasteurized soybean tempeh because of possible contamination with salmonella.

Smiling Hara Tempeh said it pulled the food from shelves Monday. Tempeh is used as a meat substitute in vegetarian cuisine.

The state Agriculture Department says the company is recalling tempeh made between Jan. 11 and April 11. The containers are marked with a best-by date of July 11 through October 25.

The Buncombe County Health Department says the number of salmonella cases rose over the weekend to nearly three dozen.

The salmonella bacteria can cause high fever, headache and abdominal pain. It is especially dangerous to infants, the elderly and people with immune system problems.

Copyright 2012 The AP.