FDA issues highest-level recall for TOMATOES contaminated with Salmonella

06/06/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

The FDA escalated a tomato recall to its highest-risk Class I level on May 28 due to potential Salmonella contamination, warning of “serious adverse health consequences or death.” The recall affects products distributed in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Tomatoes shipped between April 23–28 under H&C Farms and Williams Farms Repack labels, sold in bulk and tray-packed formats. No illnesses have been reported yet, but vulnerable groups (children, elderly, immunocompromised) face heightened risks.
The CDC notes Salmonella can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, bloodstream infections and even death. This recall follows recent outbreaks linked to cucumbers and backyard poultry, highlighting ongoing food safety concerns.
The FDA urges consumers to discard or return affected tomatoes, with detailed lot numbers available on its website. Williams Farms Repack is offering refunds and cooperating with regulators.
Salmonella causes ~420 U.S. deaths yearly and accounted for 14% of 2023 food recalls. Past outbreaks (e.g., 2008 tomato/pepper crisis) demonstrate how lapses in oversight can escalate into widespread emergencies. Consumers are advised to stay vigilant.

In a move underscoring the persistent dangers lurking in the nation’s food supply, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated a tomato recall to Class I – its most severe classification – on May 28.

The regulator warned that the contaminated products distributed across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.” Initially announced by Williams Farms Repack LLC on April 29, the recall affects multiple packaging formats of tomatoes supplied by H&C Farms.

The affected tomatoes, shipped between April 23 and April 28, include bulk and tray-packed varieties sold under H&C Farms and Williams Farms Repack labels. While no illnesses have been reported, the FDA’s Class I designation reflects the grave potential for harm – particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen notorious for triggering severe gastrointestinal distress. It can escalate into life-threatening conditions, including bloodstream infections and reactive arthritis.

How salmonella outbreaks expose food safety gaps

This recall arrives amid a broader surge in Salmonella outbreaks linked to fresh produce. Just weeks earlier, the CDC and FDA flagged cucumbers tied to illnesses in 18 states, hospitalizing 16 people. Backyard poultry has also been implicated in separate outbreaks, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in food safety networks. (Related: Cucumbers recalled nationwide over salmonella outbreak linked to 37 illnesses across 15 U.S. states.)

Cornell University microbiology professor Jeongmin Song noted that while contamination incidents remain rare in developed nations due to hygiene regulations, risks still persist. “Even if Salmonella is present, thorough washing can reduce bacteria,” she told Newsweek. Song nevertheless cautioned that immunocompromised individuals remain at heightened risk.

The FDA has urged consumers to discard or return affected tomatoes, listing detailed lot numbers and packaging types on its website. Williams Farms Repack LLC has provided contact information for refunds, emphasizing voluntary cooperation with regulators.

Historical context amplifies the urgency. According to the CDC, Salmonella causes an estimated 420 U.S. deaths annually. Consumer dvocacy group PIRG meanwhile said the pathogen accounted for 14 percent of all food recalls in 2023.

Past outbreaks like the 2008 pepper and tomato crisis that sickened 1,442 people reveal how lapses in farm-to-table oversight can spiral into national emergencies. As investigators trace the contamination’s origins, the recall underscores a chilling reality: Even routine grocery items can harbor invisible threats.

Consumers are advised to verify lot numbers, heed disposal guidelines and monitor updates from health authorities. In an era of industrial-scale food production, the stakes of oversight have never been higher.

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Watch this news report about an outbreak of Salmonella linked to cantaloupes that hit Kentucky and Indiana.

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