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New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
F.D.A. Updates Recall of Tomatoes, Warning of a High Risk of Illness or Death
The Food and Drug Administration has updated an ongoing recall of tomatoes distributed in three states to its most severe warning, saying there is a higher probability that potential salmonella contamination could lead to 'serious adverse health consequences or death.' It is unlikely that consumers will encounter any fresh tomatoes from the recalled batch, but the bacteria can survive for weeks in dry environments and months in wet ones, such as the freezer, according to the F.D.A. The tomatoes, which were sold in packages as small as a three-pack and as large as 25 pounds, were distributed between April 23 and 28 to Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina under the name H&C Farms Label. They were first voluntarily recalled at the beginning of May for possible salmonella contamination. No illnesses were reported at the time, according to the F.D.A. The recall was updated on Wednesday to Class I, which the F.D.A. describes as 'a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.' The potential source of contamination was not immediately known. Williams Farms Repack, the South Carolina-based firm that distributed the tomatoes, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. H&C Farms declined to comment on Saturday. Exposure to salmonella, a bacteria, can be deadly, especially in adults over 65, children under 5 and people with compromised immune systems, who have the highest risk of severe illness. But healthy people should also avoid eating the tomatoes. Exposure to salmonella, usually from contaminated foods, sickens more than one million people in the United States each year and it is responsible for more than 400 deaths annually. The infection caused by salmonella can trigger symptoms including fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain that may last for days.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
FDA issues most serious recall alert for tomatoes that carry 'reasonable risk of DEATH'
Health authorities have issued the highest risk level to tomatoes recalled for potentially containing deadly bacteria. Last month, Williams Farms Repack LLC voluntarily recalled several sizes of its vine ripe tomatoes after they were found to potentially contain salmonella. On Wednesday, the FDA gave the recall a Class I designation, its most dangerous classification. This means 'there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.' The recall covers shipments from April 23 to April 28 sold in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Affected products were sold in the following packaging formats: 5x6 25lb, 6x6 25lb, Combo 25lb, 4x4 2layer, 4x5 2layer, 60ct 2layer, 60ct 18lb loose, XL 18lb Loose and 3ct trays with UPC 0 33383 65504 8. The lot numbers are R4467 and R4470. No illnesses have been reported, but salmonella can cause serious and fatal illnesses in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Wilson Farms Repack initiated the recall after Southeast Tomato Distributors notified it of a potential salmonella contamination from H&C Farms. The FDA has urged customers to discard any affected tomatoes. Products may be returned for a full refund or disposed of. Customers with questions can contact Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 from 8am to 5pm ET Monday to Friday. Salmonella is caused by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. It typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that begin six hours to six days after initial infection, according to the CDC. Unlike most bacteria, once consumed some strains of salmonella can survive the stomach acid and travel into the intestines. Once there, they burrow into the cells lining the organ, causing inflammation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. The bacteria may also enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs.
