Consumers are being warned about the potential deadly consequences of consuming specific jars of tomato sauce. First and Last Bakery, LLC, has issued a recall for three popular tomato-based pasta sauces due to the possible presence of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause severe food poisoning. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that these affected products were manufactured without proper evaluation measures to prevent the growth of this harmful bacterium.
The recall pertains to 26-ounce jars of First and Last Original Marinara Sauce Tomato and Basil, Meat Flavoured Traditional Pasta Sauce, and Mildly Hot and Spicy Puttanesca Sauce. These sauces were distributed in Connecticut and Massachusetts through Big Y and other retailers starting from September 22, 2025, all with a use-by date of September 26, as reported by the Daily Record.
Although no illnesses have been reported yet, the potential danger of Botulism, a fatal form of food poisoning, necessitates that consumers who bought the mentioned sauces promptly return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can develop when acidified or low-acid canned foods are improperly processed.
Botulinum toxins are known to be highly lethal substances, capable of disrupting nerve functions and leading to respiratory and muscular paralysis, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Symptoms of botulism include weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing issues, muscle weakness, abdominal swelling, and constipation. These symptoms, caused by the toxins produced by the bacteria, typically manifest within 12 to 36 hours but can appear anywhere from four hours to eight days post-exposure. Given the fatality rate of about five to 10 percent, individuals experiencing such symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention.
While the FDA recall impacts the United States, recent urgent recalls in the UK have seen supermarkets and retailers removing products from shelves due to potential health risks. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issues these recalls when a food item poses a risk to consumers, whether due to allergen labeling issues or the presence of foreign materials.
In a recent alert, individuals with a peanut allergy were cautioned against consuming Aldi’s Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um’s due to potential peanut contamination, which could trigger severe reactions. All dates of the 121g chocolate treat are affected, and customers are urged to return the product to the store of purchase for a full refund.
Peanut allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and hospitalization.
