8 Biggest Tomato Recalls In Food History
Nothing ruins a perfectly good sandwich or salad quite like contaminated tomatoes! As someone who’s become a food safety enthusiast (okay, maybe I’m just someone who got food poisoning once and never wants to repeat the experience), I’ve tracked some pretty shocking incidents involving our beloved red fruit.
While tomatoes might seem innocent on your plate, they’ve actually been at the center of some massive food recalls, affecting millions of people nationwide.
From bacterial outbreaks to contamination concerns, tomatoes have proven that even the simplest ingredients can pose serious risks. It’s a reminder to always be cautious with what we eat!
1. Del Monte’s 2018 Cyclosporiasis Catastrophe
Veggie trays aren’t supposed to make you sick! Yet in 2018, Del Monte Fresh Produce recalled vegetable trays containing pre-cut tomatoes after they were linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 250 people across 4 states.
I remember this one vividly because my neighbor was planning a graduation party and had to toss dozens of veggie platters she’d purchased. The parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis causes intestinal illness that can last weeks or even months if untreated.
The recall affected over 28,000 packages of vegetables, and Del Monte implemented enhanced testing protocols for their pre-cut produce afterward. Those convenient veggie trays suddenly seemed a lot less appealing!
2. Taylor Farms’ 2019 Listeria Scare
Yikes! Taylor Farms recalled thousands of pounds of ready-to-eat products containing tomatoes in 2019 after routine testing detected Listeria monocytogenes. While no illnesses were reported, the recall spanned multiple states and affected restaurants, catering services, and retail locations.
I was working at a catering company back then and remember the panic as we checked every single ingredient label. Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
The recall highlighted vulnerabilities in our food supply chain, especially with ready-to-eat products that don’t undergo additional cooking. Taylor Farms subsequently enhanced their safety protocols and testing frequency to prevent future contamination issues.
3. The Fresh Express Multi-State Outbreak of 2020
Fresh Express recalled salad products containing cherry tomatoes in 2020 after they were linked to a cyclospora outbreak that affected over 700 people across 14 states! My mom texted me about this one at midnight after seeing it on the news – classic mom move.
The FDA and CDC investigation traced the outbreak to bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage, along with cherry tomatoes. Many sufferers required hospitalization, which was especially problematic during the early pandemic months.
What made this recall particularly challenging was the complex supply chain involved. The ingredients came from different farms, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact contamination source. Fresh Express eventually implemented more rigorous supplier standards.
4. Lipman Family Farms’ 2021 Greenhouse Tomato Recall
Who knew tomatoes could be so dramatic? In 2021, Lipman Family Farms issued a voluntary recall of greenhouse-grown tomatoes after internal testing discovered potential Salmonella contamination. The recall affected their Crimson tomatoes sold in plastic clamshell containers across the northeastern United States.
I actually spotted these in my fridge after hearing about the recall on my morning commute! Thankfully, no illnesses were reported, which food safety experts attributed to the company’s proactive testing program catching the issue before products reached consumers.
The recall showcased how even greenhouse-grown tomatoes, often considered safer from contamination, aren’t immune to food safety risks. Lipman received industry praise for their swift action and transparent communication throughout the recall process.
5. The Pacific Tomato Growers Hepatitis A Incident
Holy tomato! Pacific Tomato Growers faced a massive recall in 2011 when their fresh tomatoes were linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak affecting 13 states. The company recalled thousands of cases of tomatoes after health officials connected the dots between ill consumers.
My college dining hall posted notices everywhere about this recall. Unlike bacterial contamination, Hepatitis A is a virus that can survive on produce for weeks and cause liver inflammation. The outbreak prompted discussions about worker hygiene in agricultural settings.
Following this incident, many tomato producers implemented enhanced worker health screening and vaccination programs. Pacific Tomato Growers also pioneered new washing techniques designed specifically to reduce viral contamination risks, setting new standards for the industry.
6. The Great Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak of 2008
My cousin worked at a grocery store during this nightmare! Initially blamed on tomatoes, this outbreak sickened over 1,400 people across 43 states. The FDA warned consumers against eating certain tomato varieties while investigators scrambled to find the source.
Plot twist: After devastating the tomato industry to the tune of $100 million in losses, they discovered jalapeño and serrano peppers were actually the culprits! Talk about a costly case of mistaken identity.
The tomato market took years to recover from this false accusation, and it changed how outbreak investigations are conducted. Farmers still reference this incident when discussing the importance of accurate food tracing systems.
7. The 2013 Mariana Farms Salmonella Surprise
Unexpected party crasher! Mariana Farms recalled organic cherry tomatoes in 2013 after they were linked to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened 131 people across 18 states. The contaminated tomatoes had been distributed to restaurants, food service facilities, and retail locations nationwide.
I remember this one because my favorite salad place closed for a week to sanitize everything. The investigation revealed irrigation water contaminated with animal waste as the likely culprit.
What made this recall noteworthy was that it involved organic produce, challenging the perception that organic automatically means safer. Mariana Farms subsequently installed advanced water filtration systems and implemented more frequent water testing protocols, which many organic growers later adopted as standard practice.
8. The 2017 Roma Tomato E. coli Outbreak
Pasta night ruined! A 2017 multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was traced to Roma tomatoes supplied by SunFresh Farms to restaurants and institutional kitchens. The contamination affected 58 people across 9 states, with 22 hospitalizations and several cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome.
My sister’s wedding catering had to be completely reworked three days before the event because of this recall! The investigation revealed cross-contamination during harvesting, where tomatoes came into contact with contaminated agricultural equipment.
This outbreak highlighted the dangers of E. coli in produce that’s often consumed raw. SunFresh Farms subsequently implemented equipment sanitation protocols that exceeded industry standards and invested in advanced tracking technology to enable faster, more precise recalls when necessary.