Tomatoes Recalled in 14 States as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level
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Two separate recalls have been classified as Class I, the most serious warning level, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of potential salmonella contamination in raw tomato products distributed across multiple U.S. states.
The ongoing recalls, both initiated voluntarily by the distributing firms, involve tomatoes produced by Williams Farms Repack LLC under the brand name Hanshaw & Capling Farm (or H&C Farms) in Immokalee, Florida, and by Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis.
Newsweek has contacted Ray & Mascari Inc. for comment via email outside regular working hours and Williams Farms Repack LLC via phone.
Why It Matters
The recalls affect large quantities of tomatoes distributed across a number of states and include both retail and bulk packaging. The potential contamination with salmonella—a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems—determines the high level of risk to consumers associated with the recall.
Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
A stock image of ripe tomatoes.
A stock image of ripe tomatoes.
Winfried Rothermel/dpa via AP
What To Know
The recall from Williams Farms Repack involves 3,651 boxes of "H&C Farms Raw Premium Tomatoes, Naturally Grown from Seed" packaged in various sizes ranging from jumbo to 6x7, with all requiring refrigeration.
The affected lot is marked as 098 14TO3-1. The product was distributed in Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana and Massachusetts.
The recall was initiated on April 29 and classified by the FDA on May 13.
Separately, Ray & Mascari issued a recall of 510 cases of vine ripe tomatoes. The products were contained in clamshell packages and several bulk packaging sizes. Affected lot numbers range from RM 250420 to RM 250427.
The tomatoes were distributed across Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The recall was initiated on April 30 and classified by the FDA on May 13.
While no illnesses have been publicly linked to these products, the Class I designation indicates that use of or exposure to them may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
What People Are Saying
The FDA said on its website: "Most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
"More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 450 persons in the United States die each year from acute salmonellosis.
"Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their healthcare provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble a Salmonella infection."
What Happens Next
Both recalls remain ongoing. Consumers are advised to check for the listed lot numbers and discard any affected products.
Consumers who have purchased the Ray & Mascari products and have questions or reports of any illness may contact the company at 1-317-637-0234 between Monday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Consumers who purchased the Williams Farm Repack products may contact the company at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
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