Tomato Recall Upgraded to Most Serious Level as FDA Warns of ‘Deadly’ Salmonella
Health ConditionsInfectious DiseasesSalmonella
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Recalled Tomatoes Sold in the Southern U.S. May Pose Deadly Salmonella Risk

No illnesses have been reported to date, but salmonella can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable groups.
Recalled Tomatoes Sold in the Southern U.S. May Pose Deadly Salmonella Risk
Everyday Health
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Published on June 5, 2025
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall of tomatoes sold in three southern states to a Class I recall, the most serious level, because the tomatoes may be contaminated with salmonella.

A Class I recall refers to “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,” per the FDA.

The FDA hasn’t received any reports of illness tied to this recall to date.

Williams Farms Repack distributed the tomatoes to wholesalers and distributors in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina between April 23 and 28, 2025. Consumers would have been able to buy the slicer tomatoes loose by the pound or in three-tomato packs.

The loose tomatoes came in two different boxes: ones with the Williams Farms Repack label, and others labeled “H&C Farms.”

The company issued an initial recall on April 30, 2025. The FDA upgraded the recall to Class I on May 28.

The FDA urged consumers not to eat any recalled tomatoes, and to return them for a refund or throw them away. During similar recalls, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that if you don’t know where your produce came from, it’s best to throw it away.

 Any surfaces the tomatoes may have touched should be washed.

Williams Farms said anyone with questions about the recall can contact Williams Farms representative Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

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What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a foodborne bacteria that can cause serious and, in rare cases, deadly infections, particularly in the very young, very old, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of salmonella infection can resemble a stomach bug and include:

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea, which may be bloody
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
Although uncommon, sometimes salmonella can spread to the blood and raise the risk of more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining), and reactive arthritis.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Enforcement Report: Recall F-0822-2025. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. May 28, 2025.
  2. Recalls Background and Definitions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 31, 2014.
  3. Williams Farms Repack LLC Recalls Tomatoes Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. May 2, 2025.
  4. Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Whole Cucumbers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 30, 2025.
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Before turning to journalism, Hammond taught English while living in Thailand and Malaysia. They were born and raised in the American South, and currently live in Brooklyn with their spouse, three cats, and too many houseplants to count.
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