Tips to help manage food recalls and prevent foodborne illnesses
About 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 people die each year from preventable foodborne illnesses.
Payton, USA TODAY
- The Food and Drug Administration has issued its most severe warning for fresh tomatoes sold in three states.
- A Class I recall is issued if there is a potential for serious health complications or death.
- While the tomatoes weren’t sold in Florida, they were sold in nearby states. Here’s what to do if you bought some.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued its most severe warning for fresh tomatoes sold in some states.
A Class I recall was issued for tomatoes for potential salmonella contamination. A Class I recall is issued if there is a potential for serious health complications or death.
Williams Farms Repack of South Carolina said the tomatoes were sold to wholesalers and distributors between April 23-28 under the name H&C Farms Label.
Here’s what you should know.
Tomatoes recalled for potential salmonella contamination
Williams Farms Repack LLC announced on May 2 it was recalling tomatoes under the both the Williams Farm Repack label and the H&C Farms label for potential salmonella contamination.
On May 28, the FDA classified the recall as Class I.
Where were the tomatoes sold?
The tomatoes were sold in three states:
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
How do you know if you bought any of the recalled tomatoes?
If you shop outside of Florida, or purchased tomatoes during a recent visit, check the following information to see if you have any of the recalled tomatoes. Recalled tomatoes, by size and lot code, are:
- 5×6, 25 pounds; R4467
- 6×6, 25 pounds; R4467, R4470
- Combo 25 pounds; R4467
- 4×4 2 layer; R4467
- 4×5 2 layer; R4467
- 60 count 2 layer; R4467
- 60 count 18 pounds loose; R4467, R4470
- XL 18 pounds loose; R4467
- 3-count trays; R4467 (UPC 0 33383 65504 8)
I bought some of the recalled tomatoes. What should I do?
Consumers who purchased the recalled tomatoes are urged to not eat them. Return them to where you bought them for a full refund or throw them away.
Consumers with questions should contact Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET.
Has anyone gotten sick from eating the recalled tomatoes?
No illnesses have been reported to date, according to the FDA.
FDA classifies tomato recall as Level 1. What is Level I?
The FDA has classified the recall as a Level 1.
A Level 1 — also called a Class 1 — recall is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” the FDA said.
What is salmonella?
“Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Contaminated food is the source for most of these illnesses.
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. Pregnant women are also at higher risk of developing an infection from it and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise.
Salmonella bacteria cause “about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year,” the CDC said.
Will freezing or cooking kill salmonella?
Freezing and drying do not kill salmonella, the FDA said.
Cooking will kill bacteria, including salmonella, but you’ll need to use a food thermometer to make sure the temperature gets between 145 and 165 degrees, depending on what you’re cooking. Be careful of all surfaces and your hands to prevent cross-contamination.
What are symptoms of salmonella?
Salmonella can make people ill with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which can last from four days up to a week.
Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection, the CDC said. Most cases of salmonella infections pass, but some people may need to be hospitalized.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not urinating much
- Dry mouth and throat
