Canned tuna recall over fatal botulism risk hits major stores
Canned tuna products sold at stores across the U.S. have been recalled over concerns they could be contaminated with botulism, a serious and potentially deadly toxin.
Tri-Union Seafoods has recalled select lots of canned tuna products sold under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s brand names. According to the company’s announcement, the recall was made out of “an abundance of caution” due to a manufacturing defect in some “easy open” pull tab can lids that could allow it to leak, or more concerning, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
People are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled and anyone who has eaten it and felt unwell should seek immediate medical attention, the Food and Drug Administration said. So far, no illnesses have been reported from the recall.
The products were sold in:
- 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 oz. – Costco in Florida and Georgia
- Genova 5 oz. – 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
If you have the product, you should throw it away or send it to the retailer for a full refund. Consumers can contact Tri-Union Seafoods at [email protected] or 833-374-0171, if they have any questions or to request replacement product. The toll-free number hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST.