Consumers have been advised to stop using certain tomato sauces and return them to stores for a full refund. The warning follows concerns that consuming the affected jars could lead to a potentially deadly case of food poisoning.
First and Last Bakery, LLC, based in Connecticut, announced an emergency recall of three tomato-based pasta sauces after a possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. Although no illnesses have been confirmed, the recall is considered a precaution due to the serious health risks involved.
Each product comes in a 26-ounce jar and carries a “use by” date of September 26. The sauces were distributed in Connecticut and Massachusetts, mainly through Big Y supermarkets and possibly other regional retailers beginning September 22, 2025.
“Clostridium botulinum bacteria can form when acidified or low-acid canned foods aren’t properly processed,” the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) stated, according to the Independent.
The FDA explained that the sauces were produced without a properly verified process to prevent bacterial growth. The toxin released by Clostridium botulinum can attack the nervous system and may result in paralysis or death if consumed.
Shoppers who purchased the affected sauces should not consume them and are urged to return the jars for a refund.
Author’s summary: The recall of First and Last Bakery tomato sauces highlights the severe risk of botulism and the importance of strict food safety standards in manufacturing.