The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late last month upgraded its recall on tomatoes contaminated with salmonella to a Class I.
The agency said produce sold by Williams Farms Repack could pose “serious adverse health consequences or death,” in a May 28 enforcement report.
The recall was first announced on May 2 when the FDA said items posed the risk of potential contamination. However, the threat for products sold to distributors in the states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina has now increased.
Food infected with salmonella can cause people to experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe conditions, bacteria can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis or even death.
Health officials are now urging those who purchased tomatoes from Williams Farms Repack to either return their items for a full refund or dispose of the product entirely.
Items at risk of salmonella contamination were sold from April 23-28.
Below is a list of affected products:
| PRODUCT | SIZE | UPC | LOT CODE |
| Tomatoes | 5×6 25lb | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 6×6 25lb | N/A | R4467, R4470 |
| Tomatoes | Combo 25lb | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 4×4 2layer | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 4×5 2layer | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 60ct 2layer | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 60ct 18lb loose | N/A | R4467, R4470 |
| Tomatoes | XL 18lb Loose | N/A | R4467 |
| Tomatoes | 3ct trays | 0 33383 65504 8 | R4467 |