Class II U.S. Food and Drug Administration

First & Last Tavern Traditional Pasta Sauce 26 FL OZ 737g recall: May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

Recall published 10 months ago

May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

The hazard: Botulism risk

The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

What the notice says: May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-0334-2026
Published
December 31, 2025
Risk level
Class II
Status
Ongoing
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
First & Last Tavern
Product type
Meat & poultry
Units affected
30 cases
Distribution
Connecticut, Massachusetts
Made in
United States
Lot / code info
Expiration/Use By: 09/26

Products covered by this recall

First & Last Tavern Traditional Pasta Sauce (meat flavored) 26 FL OZ (1 lb., 10 oz) 737g

Check your product

The notice names 5 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 09
  • 26 — 30 cases

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 26 FL OZ
  • 1 lb
  • 10 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Botulism

First & Last Tavern — The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. If anyone has eaten it and has blurred vision, trouble swallowing or weakness, call 911 — this does not wait for an appointment.
  3. Do not open the container. If it is already open, do not sniff it — double-bag it and keep it away from children and pets.
  4. Throw it away so nobody else can retrieve it, or follow the disposal wording in the official notice if it specifies a method.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: First & Last Tavern — 920 Maple Ave, Hartford, CT, 06114-2723

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was First & Last Tavern meat & poultry recalled?

May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum May be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 09 or 26 — 30 cases. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, Massachusetts.

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