First and Last Pasta Sauce Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

First and Last Bakery LLC of Hartford, Connecticut, announced a voluntary recall on October 31, 2025. The recall covers three First and Last Original pasta sauces. The jars hold 26 FL OZ and have a Use By date of 09/26. The FDA notice says the sauces were made with no approved scheduled process. That leaves a possible risk of Clostridium botulinum toxin forming. The FDA classified the recall Class II, and its Enforcement Report lists the status as Ongoing. The company says no illnesses have been reported to date. Buyers are urged to return the sauces for a full refund.

Latest First and Last Pasta Sauce Recall Updates

December 31, 2025: FDA Lists the Recall as Ongoing

The FDA Enforcement Report listed the recall on December 31, 2025. It carries recall numbers H-0334-2026, H-0335-2026 and H-0336-2026, all under event 97906. The listed status is Ongoing for all three records [1]. The report describes the recall as voluntary and firm initiated. It gives the recall initiation date as October 31, 2025, the day the company announced the recall.

December 20, 2025: FDA Classifies the Recall as Class II

On December 20, 2025, the FDA classified the recall as Class II. Each of the three records in the FDA Enforcement Report carries that same classification. FDA’s recall definitions describe a Class II recall this way. Use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote [2].

November 3, 2025: FDA Posts the Company Announcement

The FDA posted the company announcement from First and Last Bakery LLC on November 3, 2025 [3]. The notice also says sales and production of the sauce have been suspended.

October 31, 2025: Company Announces a Voluntary Recall

On October 31, 2025, the Hartford company issued its voluntary recall announcement for three sauces. The announcement says distribution started on September 22, 2025 and continued through October 28, 2025.

What Is Botulism?

CDC says botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves [4].

Which First and Last Pasta Sauces Are Affected?

The affected sauces are three First and Last Original products in 26 FL OZ jars:

• First and Last Original Marinara Sauce, Tomato & Basil, Use By 09/26
• First and Last Original Traditional Pasta Sauce, Meat Flavored, Use By 09/26
• First and Last Original Puttanesca Sauce, Mildly Hot & Spicy, Use By 09/26

Look for the Use By date on the jar and match it to 09/26. The notice lists no UPC numbers. The sauce name and the 26 FL OZ size are the other identifiers. The sauces were sold at Big Y and potentially other retailers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The notice does not state a price.

Why Were the First and Last Pasta Sauces Recalled?

The First and Last pasta sauces were recalled because they were made without an approved scheduled process. They were also not otherwise evaluated to determine if the process is adequate. Failure to appropriately process acidified or low-acid canned foods can result in Clostridium botulinum toxin formation. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection identified the possible health risk, according to the company notice. The FDA Enforcement Report gives the reason as “May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum”. Neither the notice nor the report confirms contamination or illness. The notice describes botulism as a potentially fatal form of food poisoning and lists its symptoms.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

The company’s announcement says no illnesses had been reported to date. That statement dates from the company’s announcement of the recall, which the FDA posted on November 3, 2025. The recall was announced because of a possible health risk. A possible hazard is not the same as a confirmed case of botulism. A future report of illness would not by itself prove that a sauce caused it.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you bought any of the three recalled First and Last Original sauces, take these steps:

1. Check the jar for the sauce name, the 26 FL OZ size and the Use By date of 09/26.
2. Return the recalled sauce to the place of purchase for a full refund.
3. Call the company at 860-956-5000 with questions. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
4. Call the FDA’s general contact line at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) with questions about the recall.
5. Watch for botulism symptoms the FDA lists: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common.
6. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms appear.

Legal Options

As of September 1, 2026, the pending MDL report from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation lists no MDL for the First and Last pasta sauce recall [5]. A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Whether a person has a legal claim depends on the individual facts and needs an individual legal review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Botulism from the First and Last Pasta Sauces?

The symptoms of botulism from First and Last pasta sauces would be those of foodborne botulism. CDC’s clinical overview lists vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, plus the nerve symptoms present in all botulism types [6].

Can Botulism Cause Paralysis or Death?

According to CDC’s botulism page, botulism causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. That is CDC’s general description of the illness itself and does not report harm from any of these sauces.

How Is a Class I Recall Different from a Class II Recall?

A Class I recall differs from a Class II recall in how likely serious harm is. FDA’s recall definitions call a recall Class I when there is a reasonable probability that a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

How Much First and Last Pasta Sauce Was Recalled?

The FDA Enforcement Report lists 30 cases of each recalled First and Last pasta sauce. The company announcement gives no count of units, so the number of jars is not stated.

Did the Company Stop Selling the First and Last Pasta Sauces?

The company stopped selling First and Last pasta sauces, according to its announcement of the recall. The announcement says the aim is to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Which Firm Recalled the First and Last Pasta Sauces?

The company notice names First and Last Bakery LLC as the firm that recalled the sauces. The FDA Enforcement Report lists the recalling firm as First & Last Tavern of Hartford, CT. The report’s records match the notice on city, initiation date, Use By date and jar size.

References

1. https://api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=event_id:97906
2. https://www.fda.gov/safety/industry-guidance-recalls/recalls-background-and-definitions
3. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/first-and-last-bakery-llc-recalls-first-and-last-brand-tomato-sauce-products-because-possible-health
4. https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/about/index.html
5. https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-September-1-2026.pdf
6. https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html