FDA Labels Tomatoes Sold In 3 U.S. States As Potentially Dangerous
I never imagined that my beloved garden tomatoes—the stars of summer salads and spaghetti sauces—would end up at the center of a national health scare.
But here we are. The FDA has issued a serious warning about certain tomatoes sold across multiple states, labeling them as potentially dangerous due to contamination concerns. Yep, our plump little produce pals might actually pose a threat.
This isn’t just a blip on the grocery radar—it has real consequences for shoppers, store owners, and the farming community alike. So, if you thought a tomato couldn’t cause drama, think again. Let’s break down what’s going on and why you need to stay alert at the produce aisle.
1. Class I Recall Issued By FDA
May 28, 2025 marked a dark day for tomato lovers like me. The FDA didn’t mess around—they upgraded the tomato recall to Class I status, their most severe classification. I remember dropping my grocery bags when I heard the news on my car radio.
Class I means these tomatoes could cause serious harm if eaten. Not just make you sick—potentially fatal! The agency only issues this level when they have evidence of serious health risks or death potential.
Regulators don’t take this step lightly, which speaks volumes about the severity of the contamination they’ve discovered.
2. Williams Farms Repack Contamination Source
My cousin works at a grocery distribution center and called me in a panic about the Williams Farms situation. Their company, Williams Farms Repack LLC, is the supplier at the heart of this recall nightmare.
Their distribution network spans throughout the Southeastern United States, making this particularly troubling. I checked my own tomatoes immediately after our call.
The facility responsible for growing, packing, or distributing these contaminated tomatoes has temporarily suspended operations while investigators determine the exact source of contamination within their supply chain.
3. Three States Currently Under Recall Alert
My family reunion in Georgia last weekend turned into an impromptu recall discussion when my aunt threw out all her tomatoes. Currently, the recall affects just three states: Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
These states received direct shipments from the contaminated facility. I’ve been calling relatives in these areas to warn them personally.
While limited geographically for now, health officials are concerned about potential cross-state distribution through smaller vendors or roadside markets that might have purchased these tomatoes and transported them elsewhere.
4. Specific Lot Codes Identified As Dangerous
Yesterday at the supermarket, I frantically checked tomato packages while other shoppers stared. The recall specifically targets Lot R4467 and R4470—these numbers are your red flags.
I’ve taped these codes to my refrigerator as a reminder. If you spot either code on packaging, consider those tomatoes potentially deadly and avoid consumption at all costs.
These lot numbers correspond to specific harvest dates and processing batches where contamination was detected during random sampling tests conducted by food safety officials.
5. Various Packaging Types Affected
I discovered the tomatoes I bought for my famous pasta sauce were on the recall list! The contamination crosses multiple packaging types—a nightmare for shoppers like me.
Affected products include 25-pound bulk boxes (sizes 5×6 and 6×6), two-layer 60-count boxes, and even those convenient 3-count retail trays with UPC code 0 33383 65504 8. Even loose, individual tomatoes sold in produce sections aren’t safe if they came from the contaminated batches.
This wide range of packaging makes identifying affected products particularly challenging for consumers.
6. Salmonella Contamination Confirmed
After getting violently ill from a salad last year, I’m terrified of Salmonella. That’s exactly what’s been found in these tomatoes—a dangerous bacterium that causes fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
For vulnerable populations like my elderly father, young niece, or immunocompromised friend, this infection could be life-threatening. Laboratory testing confirmed multiple samples contained dangerous levels of this pathogen.
Salmonella contamination typically occurs through contact with animal feces during growing or processing, raising serious questions about sanitation practices at the facility.
7. No Illnesses Reported Yet, But Risk Remains High
My neighbor works for the health department and says we’re lucky no one’s gotten sick—yet. The recall is preemptive, caught through routine testing before reported illnesses.
Food safety monitoring systems detected the contamination during standard surveillance sampling. I’m grateful for these early detection systems that likely prevented widespread illness.
However, health officials emphasize that the risk remains significant for anyone who purchased these tomatoes before the recall announcement. The incubation period for Salmonella means cases could still emerge in the coming days or weeks.
8. Immediate Disposal Instructions Issued
I threw $15 worth of tomatoes in the trash yesterday after confirming they matched the recall description. The FDA’s instructions are crystal clear: do not consume these tomatoes under any circumstances!
You have two options—return them to the store for a full refund (bring your receipt if possible) or discard them immediately. I double-bagged mine before tossing them out.
Even tomatoes that appear perfectly healthy can harbor dangerous levels of Salmonella, as the contamination isn’t visible to the naked eye and doesn’t always affect appearance, smell, or taste.
9. Cross-Contamination Prevention Critical
Last night, I sanitized my entire kitchen after realizing I’d handled potentially contaminated tomatoes earlier this week. Cross-contamination is a serious risk that many overlook.
If you’ve touched these tomatoes, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. I used a bleach solution to disinfect my cutting boards, knives, countertops, and refrigerator shelves where the tomatoes had been stored.
Bacteria can transfer easily from contaminated produce to other foods, surfaces, or utensils, potentially causing illness even if you didn’t eat the tomatoes directly.
10. Recognizing Salmonella Poisoning Symptoms
When my sister had Salmonella last summer, she thought it was just food poisoning at first. Now I know better—symptoms typically appear within 6 to 72 hours after exposure and can be severe.
Watch for fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and vomiting. I keep a thermometer handy now just in case.
Severe cases may require hospitalization, especially for dehydration. If you’ve eaten these tomatoes and develop these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately and mention your potential exposure to the recalled product.
11. Retailers Rapidly Removing Products
The cashier at my local grocery store told me they pulled all tomatoes overnight—better safe than sorry! Major grocers across affected states have been notified and are working around the clock to remove potentially dangerous products.
I called three stores yesterday to check if their tomatoes were safe. If you recently purchased tomatoes, don’t hesitate to contact your store with questions.
Some retailers are taking extra precautions by removing all tomato products from the same supplier, even those not specifically named in the recall, until they can verify the safety of their entire inventory.
12. Additional Recalls May Follow Soon
My brother-in-law works in food distribution and warns this might just be the beginning. This recall follows another issued in May by Ray & Mascari Inc., which affected even more states.
I’ve started checking the FDA recall website daily just to stay informed. Food safety experts are concerned that additional recalls may be announced as investigation continues into the source of contamination.
The interconnected nature of our food supply chain means that affected products could have been used as ingredients in other foods, potentially expanding the scope of recalled items in coming weeks.
13. Long-term Industry Impact Expected
My uncle’s small tomato farm isn’t even connected to this recall, yet his sales have plummeted by 40% this week. Consumer fear doesn’t discriminate between safe and unsafe sources.
The economic ripple effect will likely impact the entire tomato industry for months. I’ve noticed prices fluctuating wildly at local markets as supply chains adjust.
Industry experts predict stricter regulations and more rigorous testing protocols will be implemented across all tomato production facilities nationwide. This recall may ultimately lead to improved food safety standards, but at a significant cost to producers.