The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several tomato sauce products sold in Connecticut and Massachusetts after detecting possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria causing botulism.
The affected sauces are produced by First and Last Bakery, LLC of Hartford. The recall comes as many households begin holiday food preparation and increased storage.
All products are packaged in 26-fluid-ounce jars with a use-by date of September 2026. These jars were distributed at Big Y and Stop & Shop stores on September 22, 2025.
The FDA stated the sauces were produced "without an approved schedule process," indicating that the sterilization steps necessary to eliminate C. botulinum spores might have been inadequate.
Consumers are advised not to consume these products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Botulism is a rare but severe foodborne illness. The toxin from Clostridium botulinum interferes with nerve function, potentially leading to paralysis and respiratory failure.
Symptoms typically develop 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food and include:
Proper food sterilization processes are critical to prevent the presence of botulinum spores in canned or jarred foods.
Author's summary: The FDA has recalled several pasta sauce products due to potential botulism contamination, urging consumers to avoid consumption and return affected jars for refunds amid holiday food preparations.