First and Last Bakery Recalls Tomato Sauce Products Over Possible Botulism Risk

HARTFORD, CT (November 3, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that First and Last Bakery, LLC is recalling several of its First & Last brand tomato sauce products due to a potential Clostridium botulinum hazard. According to the FDA, the sauces were manufactured without an approved scheduled process, which could lead to toxin formation and pose a serious health risk if consumed.

First and Last recall: quick summary

According to the FDA, First and Last Bakery voluntarily recalled its Marinara Sauce, Puttanesca Sauce, and Meat Flavored Pasta Sauce after a regulatory review found they were produced without proper process validation. Though no illnesses have been reported, the company has halted all production and distribution to ensure compliance with safety standards.

The affected 26 FL OZ jars were distributed to Big Y and Stop & Shop locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts beginning September 22, 2025. Consumers are urged to return the products for a full refund or dispose of them safely.

What happened?

The FDA said First and Last Bakery initiated the recall after the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection identified a potential safety issue with the company’s tomato sauce production process. The products (Original Marinara Sauce [Tomato & Basil], Traditional Pasta Sauce [Meat Flavored], and Puttanesca Sauce [Mildly Hot & Spicy]) were sold in 26-ounce jars marked with “Use By 09/26.”

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “failure to properly process acidified or low-acid canned foods can result in Clostridium botulinum toxin formation,” adding that this toxin “can cause a potentially fatal form of food poisoning known as botulism.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best By Date	Issue	Affected states
First & Last	Original Marinara Sauce (Tomato & Basil)	26 FL OZ	09/26	Possible C. botulinum hazard	CT, MA
First & Last	Traditional Pasta Sauce (Meat Flavored)	26 FL OZ	09/26	Possible C. botulinum hazard	CT, MA
First & Last	Puttanesca Sauce (Mildly Hot & Spicy)	26 FL OZ	09/26	Possible C. botulinum hazard	CT, MA

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the sauces were manufactured without an approved scheduled process, a key requirement to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth in low-acid foods. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported, but exposure could lead to botulism, which causes symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Older adults, young children, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk. The FDA urges anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these products to seek immediate medical attention.

Questions you might have

What should I do if I have already consumed this product?
If you have eaten the recalled sauce and experience symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, or muscle weakness, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

How can I identify if I have the recalled product?
Check your pantry for First & Last brand tomato sauces in 26-ounce jars labeled “Use By 09/26.”

What are the symptoms of botulism exposure?
Early symptoms include blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Botulism can be fatal if untreated.

Here’s what you should do

• Return the product to Big Y or Stop & Shop for a refund
• Do not consume the sauce, even if it smells or looks normal
• Check the label for “Use By 09/26” to confirm whether it’s part of the recall
• For questions, contact First and Last Bakery at (860) 956-5000, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. EST

Behind the brand

Based in Hartford, Connecticut, First and Last Bakery, LLC is a regional food producer known for its pasta sauces and Italian-style products. The company stated it has “ceased distribution of the affected products” and is “working closely with the FDA to ensure full compliance.”

Source86 reached out to the company for further comment on the recall, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows a series of food safety alerts involving improper processing of jarred sauces, dressings, and other low-acid foods. In recent months, brands such as KRASNIY OKTYABR INC. USA, P. East Trading Corp, and Walker’s Wine Juice have issued similar recalls linked to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination.

“The risk of botulism in commercially processed foods is low, but when a processor fails to control critical factors like pH, oxygen, temperature and time, even spores of Clostridium botulinum can survive and produce toxin.”
— Larry R. Beuchat, Emeritus Professor of Food Microbiology, University of Georgia.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, added:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital transparency and supplier accountability are to consumer confidence.”

Ensuring safe eats

This latest recall underscores the importance of strict manufacturing oversight in preventing contamination. For consumers, the takeaway is simple: always check labels and recall alerts before use.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private-label production with transparency and precision, ensuring that when recalls occur, supply chains are ready to respond quickly. Let’s talk.

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