Important Tomato Recall Alert Due to Salmonella Concerns

Tomatoes at risk of salmonella contamination.

News Summary

A serious health risk has been raised as the FDA upgraded the tomato recall from Williams Farms Repack LLC to Class 1 due to potential Salmonella contamination. Tomatoes were distributed across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina in late April. While no illnesses have been reported yet, consumers are advised to discard or return the affected tomatoes. Vulnerable groups should remain vigilant for symptoms. Safety measures and additional warnings regarding other tomato packs have also been issued.

Important Tomato Recall Alert: Upgrade to Class 1 Due to Salmonella Concerns

Heads up, tomato lovers! If you’ve recently enjoyed some delicious tomatoes from Williams Farms Repack LLC, you might want to check your fridge. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has moved the tomato recall to Class 1 status, which means there’s a serious health risk involved. This upgrade is definitely something to pay attention to.

What’s Going On?

The recall involves tomatoes that were distributed by Williams Farms Repack across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina during the week of April 23 to April 28, 2023. This is not too long ago, so if you’ve bought any tomatoes during that period, it’s time to take action.

The whole situation began to unfold when Southeast Tomato Distributors reported possible contamination linked to Hanshaw & Capling Farms. The FDA got the news on April 29, and by early May, the recall was announced. Thankfully, as of now, no one has reported any illnesses related to the affected tomatoes, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Salmonella: What’s the Big Deal?

Now, you might be wondering why this is such a serious issue. Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the United States. If someone happens to consume contaminated food, they could experience some pretty unpleasant symptoms—think diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. These symptoms usually show up within 12 to 72 hours after eating the tainted food, and they can last up to a week.

The risk is even higher for certain groups. Those who are most vulnerable include children under five, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system. It’s crucial for these individuals to monitor for symptoms if they’ve eaten the recalled tomatoes.

What Should You Do?

If you have any of the affected tomatoes in your kitchen, here’s what to do: you can either return them for a full refund or simply toss them in the trash. No need to take any chances! The recalled products were sold under the brands Williams Farms Repack and H&C Farms. They come in nine different sizes, so be sure to check your packaging carefully.

Additionally, some related recall news: there’s also a warning regarding 4-count packs of vine ripe tomatoes produced by Ray & Mascari Inc. These packs have also been designated as Class 1 due to similar salmonella concerns and were sold at Gordon Food Service Stores across eleven states. If you think you’ve got these in your stash, you should definitely avoid consuming them.

Still Have Questions?

Consumers are being strongly urged to not consume any of the recalled products. If you have any questions or if you want to know more about the recall, you can reach out to Jason Breland from Williams Farms Repack at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154. They’re there to help you out with any concerns you might have.

Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety. Stay informed, check your tomatoes, and protect your health! Together, we can keep our kitchens safe and tasty.