A tomato recall due to risk of salmonella contamination has been elevated by the U.S. Food and Drug ministration to its highest warning level.
The FDA designated the tomato recall impacting three states as Class I on May 28, indicating it poses a risk of “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Williams Farms Repack LLC initially announced that they were recalling the tomatoes on May 2. They were alerted that the tomatoes, provided by H&C Farms, might have been contaminated with salmonella.
Salmonella, a type of bacteria, is among the leading causes of severe foodborne illnesses in the U.S., as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of salmonella infection range from nonexistent in some people to diarrhea, fever, stomach pain or serious complications. Most people will recover without treatment, but high-risk groups, such as kids under 5 and the elderly, may experience more severe illness.
No illnesses had been reported when the recall was announced.
Which Tomatoes Were Recalled?
The Williams Farms Repack LLC recall affects nine package sizes of tomatoes sold to wholesalers and distributors in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina between April 23 and 28.
- 4×5 two layer, Williams Farms Repack label, lot code R4467
- 60 count two layer, Williams Farms Repack label, lot code R4467
- 3 count trays, Williams Farms Repack label, lot code R4467
- 5×6 25 pound, H&C Farms label, lot code R4467
- 6×6 25 pound, H&C Farms label, lot codes R4467, R4470
- Combo 25 pound, lot code R4467
- 4×4 2 layer, lot code R4467
- 60ct 18-pound loose, lot codes R4467, R4470
- XL 18-pound loose, lot code R4467
