Shoppers have received a serious warning about the potential deadly consequences of consuming specific jars of tomato sauce. First and Last Bakery, LLC, has issued a recall of three popular tomato-based pasta sauces due to the presence of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause severe food poisoning. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that these products were manufactured without proper evaluation to prevent the growth of this harmful bacterium.
The affected products are 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, with a use-by date of September 26, as reported by the Daily Record.
Although there have been no reported illnesses yet, the potential danger of Botulism, a fatal form of food poisoning, necessitates that consumers who bought these sauces return them to the store for a refund. Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can develop when acidic or low-acid canned foods are not processed correctly.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), botulinum toxins are extremely lethal, capable of disrupting nerve functions and leading to paralysis of respiratory and muscular systems. 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 as early as four hours or as late as eight days after exposure. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial, as the disease has a fatality rate of 5 to 10 percent.
While the FDA recall affects the United States, recent urgent recalls in the UK have alerted shoppers to potential health risks, prompting supermarkets and retailers to remove products from shelves. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issues recalls when products pose hazards to consumers, such as missing allergen labels or the presence of foreign materials.
In a recent alert, individuals with peanut allergies were cautioned against consuming Aldi’s Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um’s due to potential peanut content, which could trigger severe reactions. Customers are advised to return any affected 121g chocolate treats to the store for a full refund. Peanut allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and hospitalization.