Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a recall for canned tuna sold at major retailers like Costco, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and independent stores nationwide. The recall includes brands such as Genova, Van Camp’s, and other store-branded labels because of a manufacturing flaw in the “easy open” pull-tab lids, which might weaken the seal and expose the food to Clostridium botulinum (botulism), a potentially severe foodborne disease.
Affected Products and Locations
The recalled tuna items were marketed in many states under various brand names:
Trader Joe’s: Available in a lot of states, including Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
H-E-B: Sold exclusively in Texas.
Genova (7-ounce cans): Available at Costco in Florida and Georgia.
Genova (5-ounce cans): Distributed through 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: Sold at Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey.
Consumers can identify recalled items by looking at their UPCs, can numbers, and “Best if Used By” dates. Tri-Union Seafoods provides full details, including certain product codes.
Botulism Risks and Symptoms
Clostridium botulinum contamination may lead to serious illness, with symptoms resulting 12 to 36 hours after exposure. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular weakness, vision loss, drooping eyelids, difficulties talking, paralysis, and trouble breathing. If a person has such signs after eating canned tuna, they need to get healthcare at once since botulism needs prompt antitoxin therapy.
Consumer Actions
So far, no illnesses have been recorded, but customers should avoid eating the recalled tuna, even if it seems normal. Affected cans can be returned to the shop for a full refund, properly disposed of, or returned to Tri-Union Seafoods via a recovery kit.
To get more information on botulism, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s website.
Tags: botulism risk canned tuna recallCanned TunaRecalled