The FDA has provided a classification update on a tomato sauce that was recently recalled. As of July 11, the product is classified as Grade II.
As reported previously by Newsweek, Hudson Harvest Wholesale of Germantown, New York, issued a voluntary recall on June 17 for its Tomato Basil Sauce amid concerns that the product may be under-processed. The recall affects several batches distributed across New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut in May and June 2024.
In a company announcement published on the FDA website, the firm said the recall was initiated because of "reported swelling, leaking, or bursting jars. There is a possibility that the product has been under-processed, which could lead to the potential for spoilage organisms or pathogens."
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"Spoilage is usually caused by growth of microorganisms following leakage or underprocessing. Leakage occurs from can defects, punctures, or rough handling. Contaminated cooling water sometimes leaks to the interior through pinholes or poor seams and introduces bacteria that cause spoilage," according to the FDA's website.
"In addition to causing food to deteriorate and taste unpleasant, some types of spoilage can be caused by pathogenic bacteria, which can have serious health consequences. For example Clostridium perfringens (common cause of spoilage in meat and poultry) and Bacillus cereus (common cause of spoilage of milk and cream) are also pathogenic," a representative for the FDA told Newsweek via email on Friday.
"When exposed to unsuitable storage conditions, such as the Danger Zone (between 40 and 140° F), these organisms can multiply rapidly and they can release dangerous toxins that will make you sick if you consume the item, even if it's cooked to a safe internal temperature. To keep food out of the Danger Zone, keep cold food cold, at or below 40 °F (4.4 °C), and hot food hot, at or above 140 °F (60 °C). Spoilage of food is not just an issue of quality; it is also a matter of food safety, " the FDA told Newsweek.
Newsweek reached out to Hudson Harvest by email for comment outside of normal working hours on Friday.
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Details of the affected products are as follows:
- Hudson Harvest Tomato Basil Sauce, 16 oz.
- UPC #: 683720301567
- Recall number: F-1474-2024
- Code information: lot # 1042426
The UPC can be found above the bar code, and the lot number can be found on the side of the jar.
Quantity: 243 jars
Consumers are urged to check their pantries and dispose of any sauce from the affected batches immediately and should not use this product, even if it does not appear to be spoiled.
The FDA classifies recalls into numerical designations (I, II, or III) to indicate the relative degree of health hazard presented by the product being recalled.
Class I is a situation in which there is a "reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
Class II is a situation in which "use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."
Class III is a situation in which "use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences."
Customers who have purchased the recalled Tomato Basil Sauce can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call Hudson Harvest at 1-800-811-3795, extension two, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Update 07/12/24 11:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the FDA.
About the writer
Emma Marsden is a freelance news reporter for Newsweek who has lived in the U.K and the U.S. Her interests ... Read more
