A popular brand of tomato sauce has been recalled because it could cause serious — and possibly fatal — food poisoning.
First and Last Bakery, LLC, a company based in Connecticut, is recalling three of its tomato sauce products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday.
The recall happened because the sauces were made without following an approved process to ensure they were safe. This mistake could allow the growth of Clostridium botulinum, a dangerous bacteria that causes botulism, a rare but potentially deadly form of food poisoning.
The sauces being recalled are:
-
First and Last Original Marinara Sauce, Tomato & Basil
-
First and Last Original Traditional Pasta Sauce, Meat Flavored
-
First and Last Original Puttanesca Sauce, Mildly Hot & Spicy
All products come in 26-ounce jars and were sold in Big Y and Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts starting September 22, 2025. The affected jars have Use By dates of September 2026.
The company has stopped selling and producing the sauces until they meet all safety regulations. So far, no illnesses have been reported, but customers are being told to return the products to the store for a full refund.
Foods that aren’t properly processed or sealed can allow bacteria like Clostridium botulinum to grow. Symptoms of botulism include weakness, dizziness, blurred or double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. It can also cause trouble breathing, stomach swelling, and constipation. The FDA says anyone with these symptoms should get medical help right away.
This recall follows another major food safety issue in the U.S. In October, Nate’s Fine Foods of California recalled 245,000 pounds of pasta sold to large retailers, including Walmart and Target, after tests found Listeria bacteria. That outbreak has now killed six people and made 27 others sick across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
