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Shoppers have been issued a stark warning that consuming certain jars of tomato sauce could prove fatal, posing a serious health risk. First and Last Bakery, LLC, has urgently recalled three of its popular tomato-based pasta sauces due to the potential presence of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause deadly food poisoning. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the affected products were produced without an approved schedule, meaning the production process was not adequately evaluated to prevent the formation of this dangerous bacterium, according to the Independent. 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, reports the Daily Record . While no illnesses have been reported so far, given that Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, anyone who purchased the affected sauces is being urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Botulism is 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, with the ability to block nerve functions and potentially lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis. Although incredibly rare, symptoms to be aware of include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing problems, muscle weakness, abdominal swelling, and constipation. These symptoms aren't caused by the bacteria itself, but by the toxins it produces. They typically appear within 12 to 36 hours, but can range from four hours to eight days after exposure. Given that the disease is fatal in about five to 10 percent of cases, anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to seek immediate medical attention. While the FDA recall affects America, there have been several urgent recalls affecting UK shoppers recently, with supermarkets and retailers having to remove products from shelves due to potential health risks. These recalls are usually issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) when a food product poses a danger to customers, whether that's due to missing allergen labelling or the presence of 'foreign' materials. In one of the latest alerts, anyone with a peanut allergy was warned not to eat Aldi's Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um's as they "may contain peanuts", which could trigger a deadly reaction in some. Every date of this 121g chocolate treat is affected, and customers are being encouraged to return it to the shop from which it was purchased for a complete refund. A peanut allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, one of the most severe life-threatening conditions. This medical emergency necessitates treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and immediate hospitalisation.
