The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of three tomato sauces sold at Big Y and Stop & Shop stores for a possible health risk. The sauces were manufactured by First and Last Bakery, LLC, and have the possibility of containing clostridium botulinum toxin, which can lead to botulism.
Botulism is a form of food poisoning that can have severe symptoms, including weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking, swallowing, or breathing, abdominal distension, and constipation. In some cases, botulism can also lead to death.
How To Identify the Recalled Tomato Sauce
Three sauces have been recalled: First and Last Original Marinara Sauce, Tomato & Basil; First and Last Original Traditional Pasta Sauce, Meat Flavored; and First and Last Original Puttanesca Sauce, Mildly Hot & Spicy.
The FDA says that these sauces were manufactured “without an approved schedule or otherwise evaluated to determine if the process is adequate.” Therefore, the FDA isn’t able to determine if the sauces were canned correctly. If the acid-containing sauces weren’t canned properly, they could form clostridium botulinum toxin, which can lead to botulism.
All three products were sold in 26-ounce jars at Big Y and Stop & Shop locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts beginning Sept. 22. The recalled jars all have a “Use By” date of September 2026. Check the FDA’s website for images to identify the recalled First and Last tomato sauces easily.
What To Do if You Have the Recalled Tomato Sauce
First and Last has stopped manufacturing and selling the recalled tomato sauces. However, if you have the jars in your pantry or fridge, you should not consume them. Instead, throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you have any medical questions or are experiencing botulism symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider. For questions regarding the recall, you can contact First and Last Bakery, LLC at 860-956-5000.
