FDA Issues Class I Recall for Tomatoes Over Salmonella Risk Across Southern States

Severe Salmonella Tomato Recall Hits the South

It's not every day the FDA brings out its highest-level recall. But that's exactly what's happening with a new warning on tomatoes distributed across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Williams Farms Repack LLC is recalling several hundred packages of tomatoes after tests revealed a risk of salmonella contamination. This is not just any warning—it's a Class I recall, which means the risk level is about as serious as it gets. We're talking about situations where eating the product can cause major health issues, and for some people, it could even be deadly.

The affected tomatoes went out in three different packaging types: 50 trays with three packs each, 77 boxes weighing ten pounds each, and 419 boxes holding 60-count, two-layer tomatoes. If you've bought tomatoes in bulk or you're in charge of the food supply at a restaurant or cafeteria, there's a strong chance you've run into one of these batches. The initial alert came at the start of May, but as of May 28, 2025, things escalated—after more investigation, the FDA decided these tomatoes posed the highest possible threat.

What Makes Salmonella So Dangerous?

For most folks, salmonella just seems like another food recall story. But if you know how the bacteria works, you realize how sneaky and persistent it can be. Salmonella can cause trouble fast—symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever usually hit within 12 to 72 hours after you eat contaminated food. While most healthy adults will get through it, that’s not the case for everyone. Kids, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weaker immune systems can end up in the hospital or worse.

And here’s the kicker: You can’t just throw these tomatoes in the freezer or cook them in a home canner to kill off the threat. Salmonella bacteria are tough, surviving temperatures and preservation techniques that knock out other foodborne bugs. That means if your tomatoes are part of this recall, they could *still* make you sick, no matter how you store them. Health officials are adamant: if you have these products in your fridge or pantry, don’t take chances. Either throw them out or return them to the place you bought them from.

• Outbreak source: salmonella in Williams Farms tomatoes
• States affected: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
• Packaging to look out for: three-pack trays, ten-pound boxes, 60-count two-layer boxes
• Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps (within 12–72 hours of eating)
• High-risk groups: kids, seniors, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems

Williams Farms Repack LLC set up a dedicated phone line at 843-866-7707 for worried customers. Food safety experts are urging people to double-check their pantries, especially if they’ve bought tomatoes in bulk since May. There’s no way around this one—when in doubt, get rid of them. That’s a lot safer than gambling with a batch that could knock you or a loved one flat.