Tomato Recall Alert: FDA Reports Salmonella Outbreak in States

Important Alert: Tomato Recall Reaches Highest FDA Risk Level

The Food and Drug Administration has elevated a tomato recall to its highest risk category—a Class I recall.

This means these tomatoes could seriously harm your health, or worse, if you eat them.

Williams Farms Repack LLC recalled fresh tomatoes from H&C Farms due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The affected tomatoes went out to Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina between April 23-28, 2025.

How to identify recalled tomatoes:

• Lot codes R4467 and R4470
• UPC code 033383655048 (three-count trays)
• Packaging types include:
  • Three-count trays (Williams Farms Repack label)
  • Two-layer trays (Williams Farms Repack label)
  • 25-pound boxes (H&C Farms Label)

If you spot these tomatoes at home, go ahead and toss them out or bring them back to the store for a refund.

No one’s reported getting sick yet, but the risk here is nothing to brush off.

Salmonella infections can bring on some pretty nasty symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Watery diarrhea
• Fever

These symptoms hit young kids, older folks, and people with weak immune systems hardest.

Sometimes, Salmonella can land you in the hospital if it gets bad.

There’s also another tomato recall from Ray & Mascari, Inc., which involves four-count vine ripe tomatoes in plastic clamshells.

If you’re shopping for tomatoes soon, maybe stick to local farmers’ markets where you can ask exactly where your produce comes from.

Check those labels and give everything a good wash before eating—can’t hurt, right?

The FDA’s still watching this closely, and you’ll find all the recall details on their site, including container sizes and what to look for.

Key Details About the Tomato Recall

The FDA just raised the tomato recall to Class I, their top warning.

This means eating these tomatoes could be really dangerous.

Williams Farms Repack, LLC out of South Carolina started this recall for tomatoes from H&C Farms because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The tomatoes in question shipped out between April 23-28, 2025, to these states:

• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

How to Identify Affected Products

Check your tomatoes for these details:

All these tomatoes were sold under the Williams Farms Repack, LLC or H&C Farms labels to distributors and wholesalers around the Southeast.

What You Should Do

If you realize you’ve bought any of these recalled tomatoes, the FDA says you should:

1. Throw them out right away, OR
2. Return them to where you bought them for a full refund

No one’s gotten sick from this recall yet, which is a relief, but it’s still smart to be extra careful.

Health Risks of Salmonella

Salmonella infections can cause some seriously unpleasant symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Watery diarrhea
• Fever

Kids, older adults, and people with weak immune systems are at the most risk.

Sometimes, a bad case might mean a trip to the hospital.

With another tomato recall from a different company happening at the same time, the tomato supply chain feels a bit shaky right now.

You might want to stick to local produce or double-check labels on anything you buy at the grocery store, especially fresh produce.

Why Tomato Recall Has Been Upgraded to Highest Alert Level

The FDA has bumped the tomato recall up to Class I—their most serious warning.

This means eating these tomatoes could cause serious health problems, or even be deadly.

They’re worried about possible Salmonella in tomatoes from Williams Farms Repack, LLC.

What You Need to Know About Salmonella

Salmonella is a nasty bacteria that can cause:

• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Watery diarrhea

Most healthy adults get over it in a week or so, but for some people, the risks are higher:

• Young kids
• Older adults
• People with weak immune systems

For these groups, Salmonella can lead to really severe illness, sometimes requiring a hospital stay.

Identifying Affected Products

Check your tomatoes for these specifics:

What You Should Do

If you find you’ve got any recalled tomatoes, the FDA says:

1. Don’t eat them—not even a bite
2. Toss them out in a sealed trash can
3. Return them to the store for a refund
4. Clean up any surfaces or containers that touched those tomatoes

No illnesses linked to this recall have popped up yet, but food safety folks aren’t taking any chances.

If you’ve already eaten these tomatoes and start feeling sick—fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps—get checked out by a doctor and let them know you may have eaten Salmonella-tainted produce.

Safety Steps for Handling the Tomato Recall

This tomato recall for possible Salmonella contamination is no joke, and the FDA has marked it as a Class I recall.

That means you need to take it seriously and protect yourself and your family.

How to Check Your Tomatoes

Look for these signs on your tomatoes:

• Lot codes: R4467 or R4470
• UPC number: 033383655048 (on three-count packs)
• Brands: Williams Farms Repack or H&C Farms
• Distributed in: Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina

What to Do if You Have Recalled Products

If you find these tomatoes in your kitchen:

1. Don’t eat them—just don’t risk it
2. Toss them out in a sealed bag or container
3. Return them to the store for a refund if you want
4. Clean anything that touched the tomatoes—utensils, counters, containers, all of it

Health Risks to Be Aware Of

Salmonella can cause symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea

Usually, these hit between 12 and 72 hours after you eat contaminated food.

People at higher risk include:

• Young kids
• Elderly people
• Anyone with a weakened immune system

If you start feeling really sick after eating tomatoes, don’t wait—get medical help right away.

Safe Shopping Alternatives

You don’t have to give up tomatoes to stay safe from foodborne illness. Try these ideas instead:

• Buy from local farmers’ markets
• Double-check labels before tossing tomatoes into your cart
• Maybe even grow your own—it’s easier than you think
• Always wash produce really well before eating
• Store tomatoes in a way that keeps them away from cross-contamination

Prevention in Your Kitchen

Want to cut down the risk of bacteria spreading at home? Here are some habits to stick with:

• Wash your hands before and after handling produce
• Clean cutting boards and counters with hot, soapy water (yes, every time)
• Keep raw meat far from your fresh veggies
• Refrigerate cut tomatoes right away
• Toss any tomatoes that look or smell off

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests you keep these safety habits year-round, not just during a recall. Honestly, it’s worth the few extra minutes if it means you can keep enjoying healthy foods without worry.

What to Do if You Purchased Recalled Tomatoes

Did you recently buy tomatoes? You should check if they’re part of the current recall for possible Salmonella contamination.

The FDA just raised this to a Class I recall—their highest risk category. That means these tomatoes could seriously affect your health.

Check Your Tomatoes

Here’s what to look for on your tomatoes:

• Lot codes: R4467 or R4470
• UPC: 033383655048 (three-count trays)
• Williams Farms Repack, LLC label on three-count or two-layer trays
• H&C Farms label on 25-pound boxes
• Distributed between April 23-28, 2025
• Sold in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina

Take Immediate Action

If you’ve got affected tomatoes at home:

1. Don’t eat them—seriously, not even a taste
2. Either:
   • Throw them out right away, sealed in a bag
   • Return them to the store for a refund

Clean Thoroughly

If these tomatoes touched other foods or kitchen surfaces:

• Wash everything with hot, soapy water
• Sanitize your cutting boards, counters, and utensils
• Scrub your hands well after handling

Watch for Symptoms

Salmonella symptoms usually show up 6-72 hours after exposure. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your doctor if you:

• Ate these tomatoes and now have symptoms
• Have diarrhea and a fever over 102°F
• Can’t shake diarrhea for more than 3 days
• Notice blood in your stool
• Keep vomiting and can’t keep fluids down

If your immune system is weak, or if you’re caring for young kids or elderly folks, be extra cautious. They’re at higher risk for foodborne illnesses.

Alternative Options

While this recall is ongoing, you still have ways to get your tomato fix:

• Visit local farmers’ markets for fresh tomatoes
• Check labels closely at grocery stores
• Maybe try growing your own if you’ve got the space

Resources and Additional Information

The FDA just bumped a tomato recall up to the highest risk level—a Class I recall. That means there’s a real chance for serious health consequences. If you bought tomatoes in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina between April 23-28, 2025, check your stash right away.

Products involved:

• Three-count tomato trays with UPC 033383655048
• Williams Farms Repack two-layer trays
• H&C Farms 25-pound tomato boxes
• Lot codes: R4467 and R4470

Health Risks of Salmonella

Salmonella can bring on some rough symptoms, like:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Watery diarrhea
• Vomiting

Young kids, older adults, and folks with weakened immune systems have to be especially careful. Foodborne illness can sometimes land you in the hospital if you don’t catch it early.

What to Do If You Have Recalled Products

If you think you bought any of the affected tomatoes, you can:

1. Throw them out right away to avoid any risk
2. Return them to the store for a full refund

Need more info? Call Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Broader Impact

This recall seems tied to a bigger issue, as it lines up with another tomato recall from Ray & Mascari, Inc. that affects vine ripe tomatoes sold in plastic clamshell containers.

Both recalls point back to the same farm in Immokalee, Florida. That hints at a broader contamination problem—maybe more than just a one-off.

So far, nobody has reported getting sick from these specific recalls. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still keeping an eye on things, just in case.

Alternative Options:

• Try grabbing tomatoes from your local farmers’ market.
• Double-check labels at the store. Sometimes it’s easy to miss the fine print.
• If you’ve got the space, why not grow your own? It’s not for everyone, but it can be pretty satisfying.

Honestly, it’s smart to wash produce thoroughly before eating it, even when there aren’t any recalls. You never know where it’s been.