Fatal Food Poisoning Risk Prompts Canned Tuna Recall In MD

MARYLAND — Tri-Union Seafoods is recalling some canned tuna products due to botulism risk, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said. The products are sold under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s brand names from grocery stores across the country, including some in Maryland.

In Maryland, the recalled canned tuna has been recalled from Trader Joe’s stores, the FDA said.

The “easy open” pull tab can lid on some of these products have “a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the product seal (especially over time), causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning,” the FDA said.

As of Monday, no illnesses have been reported, according to the agency.

In addition to Maryland, the affected products were shipped to grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.

Recalled products include the following specific UPC and can codes:

• Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil 5 oz. – UPC code 4800000215; can codes, S94N 42K, S94N 43K, S94N 44K, S94N D1L
• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5 oz. – UPC code 4800013265; can codes S84N D1N, S84N D2M
• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5 oz. 4-pack – UPC code 4800073265; can codes S84N 41M, S84N 42M, S84N 42N, S84N 43N, S84N D1L, S84N D3L
• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 7 oz. 6-pack – UPC code 4800063267; can codes S84N D1D, S84N D2D, S84N D3D
• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5 oz. – UPC code 4800013275, can code, S88N D1M
• H-E-B Solid White Tuna in Water 5 oz. 4-pack – UPC code 4122043345; can codes S9FA 45K and S9FA 46K
• Trader Joe’s Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil – UPC code 51403, can code S74N D2M
• Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil – UPC code 99287; can codes S94N D3N and S94N D4N
• Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Water – UPC code 99285; can codes S92N D1L and S92N D2L
• Trader Joe’s Solid White Water Low Sodium – UPC codes 95836 and 99284; can codes S91N 41K, S91N 43M, S91N 44M and S90N D2N
• Trader Joe’s Solid White Water No Salt Added – can codes S90N D1M and S90N D2N
• Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 oz. – UPC code 4800025015, can code S83N 45K
• Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 oz. 4-pack – UPC code 4800075015, can code S83N 45K

This recall doesn’t affect any other Tri-Union Seafoods products, the FDA said.

Those who have a recalled tuna can may return it to the retailer for a full refund, throw it away, or contact the company for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.

Consumers can contact Tri-Union Seafoods at [email protected] or 833-374-0171 with any questions or to request a replacement product. The toll-free number is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

“Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled,” the FDA said. “Consumers feeling unwell should seek immediate medical attention.”

Botulism is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Foodborne botulism is one of the main kinds of botulism. Common sources of foodborne botulism are foods, including homemade foods, that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented, the CDC said, adding, “Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.”

Common signs and symptoms of botulism are: Difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing and difficulty moving the eyes.

Symptoms connected to foodborne botulism include: vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Botulism symptoms in infants also include: constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, pupils that are slow to react to light, face showing less expression than usual and weak cry that sounds different than usual.