First and Last Bakery, LLC has issued an urgent recall for three of its tomato-based pasta sauces due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause life-threatening botulism. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the products were produced without an approved schedule, meaning the production process was not adequately evaluated to prevent the formation of this dangerous bacterium.
The recall affects 26-ounce jars of First and Last Original Marinara Sauce Tomato and Basil, Meat Flavoured Traditional Pasta Sauce, and Mildly Hot and Spicy Puttanesca Sauce. These sauces were distributed between Connecticut and Massachusetts via Big Y and potentially other retailers from 22 September 2025, all bearing a use-by date of 26 September.
No illnesses have been reported so far, but consumers who purchased the affected sauces are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can form when acidified or low-acid canned foods are not processed correctly.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), botulinum toxins are among the most lethal substances known, blocking nerve functions and potentially leading to respiratory and muscular paralysis. Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing problems, muscle weakness, abdominal swelling, and constipation, typically appearing within 12 to 36 hours but ranging from four hours to eight days after exposure. The disease is fatal in about five to 10 percent of cases.
