The US Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall of contaminated tomatoes sold in three southern states to its highest warning level due to a higher risk of salmonella contamination leading to serious health consequences or death. The affected tomatoes, distributed by H&C Farms Label between April 23-28, were sold in packages ranging from three-packs to 25 pounds.
While it’s unlikely that consumers will encounter fresh tomatoes from the recalled batch, the bacteria can survive for weeks in dry environments and months in wet ones like freezers. The recall was initially issued at the beginning of May after a possible salmonella contamination was reported, but no illnesses were confirmed at that time.
The FDA has now classified the recall as Class I, indicating a “reasonable probability” of serious health consequences or death from consuming contaminated tomatoes. However, the source of contamination remains unknown, and neither H&C Farms nor Williams Farms Repack, the distribution firm, have commented on the matter.
Salmonella exposure can be deadly for certain groups, including adults over 65, children under 5, and those with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC, salmonella sickens more than one million people in the US annually, resulting in over 400 deaths each year. Symptoms of infection include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain that can last for days.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/01/health/tomato-recall-fda-salmonella.html