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
Ray & Mascari Inc. is voluntarily recalling its “on the vine” tomatoes for potential salmonella contamination, according to a May 3 recall notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Indiana-based company repackaged recalled tomatoes from Hanshaw & Capling Farms, which is included in a May 2 recall from Williams Farms Repack LLC.
Recalled tomatoes were sold to Gordon Food Service Stores across 11 states, including in Wisconsin.
No illnesses have been reported to date, the notice said.
Here’s what to know:
What products are being recalled?
Ray & Mascari Inc.’s “4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes,” which are packaged in clam shell containers, are included in the recall.
The UPC is 7 96553 20062 1.
Where are Gordon Food Service locations in Wisconsin?
There are five Gordon Food Service stores in Wisconsin, according to its store locator:
- Appleton: 301 N. Bluemound Drive
- Franklin: 6919 S. 27th St.
- Madison: 406 Grand Canyon Drive
- Racine: 1025 S. Green Bay Road
- West Milwaukee: 2064 Miller Park Way
Where were recalled products sold across the U.S.?
Aside from Wisconsin’s Gordon Food Service Stores, recalled tomatoes were sold in 10 states, including:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
Three states were named in the Williams Farms Repack LLC recall, though Wisconsin was not included.
What should I do if I have a recalled product?
Consumers are urged to not use any recalled tomatoes and discard them.
Those with questions or reports of illness should contact Ray & Mascari Inc. by calling 1-317-637-0234 between Monday and Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Salmonella signs and symptoms:
Salmonella are a bacteria which can cause the foodborne bacterial illness salmonellosis, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
According to the CDC, symptoms usually kick in between six hours and six days after infection, lasting from four to seven days. Common symptoms include:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody or contain mucus
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Appetite loss
The CDC says you should contact your healthcare provider in the following instances:
- Diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than two days
- Bloody fecal matter or urine
- Fever higher than 102 degrees
- Signs of dehydration
Additionally, salmonella can cause other infections or long-term complications, the CDC says.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
