A South Carolina-based produce company has initiated a recall of some of its popular tomato products.
Williams Farms Repack LLC has recalled several sizes of tomatoes under the Williams Farms Repack label and the H&C Farms Label over a possible Salmonella contamination, according to an announcement shared May 2 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Newsweek reached out to a representative of Williams Farms Repack LLC on Saturday via telephone call outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Salmonella infections, commonly known as salmonellosis, can result in symptoms within around 6 hours to 6 days. These symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, as well as a fever, chills and dehydration. In most cases, symptoms last 4–7 days, but they can persist longer if complications arise.
While the majority of Salmonella infections are mild and resolve on their own, they can pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
What To Know
The recall was initiated after Southeast Tomato Distributors notified Williams Farms Repack via telephone on April 29 that tomatoes supplied from H&C Farms may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected products include multiple packaging formats: 5×6 25lb, 6×6 25lb, Combo 25lb, 4×4 2layer, 4×5 2layer, 60ct 2layer, 60ct 18lb loose, XL 18lb Loose, and 3ct trays with UPC 0 33383 65504 8.
These products were distributed between April 23 and April 28 to wholesalers and distributors in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The specific products affected by the recall are as follows:
What People Are Saying
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in a statement on its website: “When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on Salmonella: “In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.”
What Happens Next
Consumers who have questions about the recall can contact Jason Breland at Williams Farms Repack LLC at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.
The FDA will likely continue to monitor the situation as the company works to remove affected products from the market.
Consumers should check their homes for the recalled tomato products and either return them for a refund or dispose of them to avoid potential illness.
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