- Canned tuna was recalled from multiple grocers under different labels across the country.
- The fish was recalled after the cans’ seals potentially encountered a manufacturing defect.
- The defect could lead to contamination with a bacteria that causes potentially fatal food poisoning.
Food recalls abound. You may have seen donuts, chocolate, and broccoli making headlines lately over various health and safety concerns. Now, Tri-Union Seafoods has recalled 13 varieties of canned tuna out of an “abundance of caution” because their “easy open” pull tab lids may have encountered a manufacturing defect that could compromise their seals, especially over time, causing them to leak, “or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning,” a statement from the producer said. The tuna was sold at Trader Joe’s Costco, Publix, Walmart, and other grocers across the country.
The cans were labeled with a few different brands—Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s, the press release said. Certain labels were sold in specific states at specific retailers, which are outlined below:
- H-E-B label: Texas
- Trader Joe’s label: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin
- Genova, 7-ounce cans: Costco stores in Florida and Georgia
- Genova, 5-ounce cans: Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and independent retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas
- Van Camp’s label: Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey
Impacted lots include yellowfin tuna and white tuna packed in water and olive oil. The affected best-by dates and UPC codes can be found here.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), consumption of the bacteria of concern, clostridium botulinum, can cause food-borne botulism—a rare but potentially fatal type of food poisoning. The bacteria grow in the absence of oxygen (like within improperly processed food containers), multiply, and excrete toxins that cause extreme symptoms if ingested.
The symptoms primarily affect the nervous system and can ultimately lead to paralysis and respiratory failure. Early signs include fatigue, weakness, and vertigo, usually followed by blurred vision, dry mouth, and difficulty swallowing and speaking. Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal swelling may also occur. Urgent treatment with antitoxin is required to mitigate the illness, WHO says.
Tri-Union Seafoods and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use the affected tuna even if it doesn’t look or smell spoiled. No illnesses related to the recall have been reported. However, anyone who feels unwell after eating the canned fish should seek immediate medical attention, the recall said.
If you have recalled product, you can return it to its retailer for a full refund, throw it away, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and coupon for a replacement. If you have other questions or concerns, you can contact the manufacturer at [email protected] or 833-374-0171 between Monday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
The recall noted that all other Tri-Union Seafoods products are unaffected by this risk.
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