The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for several tomato sauce products sold in Connecticut and Massachusetts after detecting possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism.
The recall involves products from First and Last Bakery, LLC, based in Hartford. This action comes amid the holiday season, when many families increase food storage and meal preparation.
The FDA explained the sauces were produced without an approved scheduled process, meaning the sterilization steps required to destroy C. botulinum spores may not have been properly executed.
Botulism is a rare but highly dangerous foodborne illness. The toxin from the bacteria disrupts nerve function and can lead to paralysis and respiratory failure.
“The toxin produced by the bacteria can block nerve functions and cause paralysis, including respiratory failure.”
Symptoms usually develop 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food and include fatigue, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and stomach pain.
Consumers are strongly advised not to consume these sauces and to return them to the store for a full refund.
The FDA recalls several pasta sauces due to possible botulism contamination from improper sterilization, urging consumers to avoid the products for safety.