Washington, D.C., USA- January 13, 2020: FDA Sign at its headquarters in Washington DC. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the USA.
November 3, 2025 — A food company located in Connecticut is recalling multiple types of its tomato sauce following a warning from state regulators. They indicated that the products might not have been adequately processed, which could permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism, a rare yet potentially deadly form of food poisoning.
First and Last Bakery, LLC of Hartford announced the recall of its First & Last brand pasta sauces, including:
- Original Marinara Sauce, Tomato & Basil
- Original Traditional Pasta Sauce, Meat Flavored
- Original Puttanesca Sauce, Mildly Hot & Spicy
- Each recalled product comes in a 26-ounce glass jar marked with a “Use By” date of 09/26.
Where the Sauces Were Sold
The recalled sauces were distributed to Big Y and Stop & Shop supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts starting September 22, 2025. The company has suspended production and sales of all tomato sauces until it can ensure full compliance with food safety regulations.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has found that the sauces were produced without an approved scheduled process, indicating they were not confirmed to be safely processed for acidified foods. In the absence of adequate production controls, low-acid or improperly canned foods can contain Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
If ingested, this bacteria can generate toxins that lead to botulism, which may result in symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, muscle paralysis, respiratory issues, and in extreme cases, death. Although no illnesses have been reported, officials caution that anyone who has bought the recalled sauces should refrain from consuming them under any circumstances.
What Consumers Should Do
Customers are encouraged to bring back the products to the original point of sale for a complete refund or to dispose of them properly.
Anyone who has consumed the sauce and is experiencing symptoms like trouble breathing, blurred vision, or muscle weakness should seek urgent medical help.
Consumers with inquiries can reach out to First and Last Bakery at 860-956-5000, available Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
First and Last Bakery has stated that it is fully cooperating with regulatory authorities and is taking measures to ensure its products comply with all state and federal food safety standards.
“No illnesses have been reported to date, and we are working closely with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to address this issue and prevent future occurrences,” the company said.
