A deadly agent in your fridge, FDA warns recalled tomatoes in Carolinas and Georgia pose risk of death

There is a large-scale tomato recall going on in the southeastern United States after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings that some products may potentially lead to serious illness or even death from suspected salmonella contamination. The recall started on May 2, 2025, and has now been upgraded to a Class I alert, the most severe rating, showing a reasonable chance of significant health impacts if the contaminated tomatoes are ingested.

Key Facts and Timeline

Recall Initiation

: The FDA initially notified the recall on May 2, 2025, upon receiving information from Williams Farms Repack LLC, a Lodge, South Carolina-based firm, that tomatoes received from H&C Farms were suspected to be contaminated with salmonella.

Distribution Period

: The suspect tomatoes were distributed to wholesalers and distributors in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina during April 23 through April 28, 2025.

Product Information

: The recall involves a broad array of tomato packages with both H&C Farms and Williams Farms Repack labels. The products involved are -

5x6,

6x6,

25-pound boxes (lot codes R4467, R4470),

combo 25-pound containers,

4x4 and 4x5 two-layer containers,
60-count trays,

60-count 18-pound loose-pack tomatoes,

XL 18-pound loose-pack tomatoes, and

3-count trays with UPC code 0 33383 65504 8.

Recall Escalation

: On May 28, 2025, the FDA officially classified the recall as Class I, warning that exposure could result in serious adverse health effects or death.

Other Recalls

: Another, associated recall was made by Ray & Mascari Inc. on May 2, 2025, for vine-ripe tomatoes distributed to Gordon Food Service Stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. These recalls are thought to be connected to a common source, H&C Farms in Florida.

Health Risks and Consumer Guidance

Salmonella is a pathogenic bacteria that may cause fever, diarrhea (which could be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. It may, in extreme instances, cause life-threatening infections in very young children, older adults, and those with impaired immune systems. The FDA advises that salmonella can be kept alive in dry conditions for weeks and moist or frozen conditions for months, so even frozen or stored tomatoes might be dangerous.

No illnesses or deaths have been reported yet, but the FDA and state health authorities remind consumers to look in their homes for recalled tomatoes and to dispose of or return them at the store of purchase.