A voluntary recall has been issued for some canned tuna products —sold across the country at stores including Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Costco — due to a pull tab defect that could lead to potentially fatal botulism food poisoning.
Tri-Union Seafoods issued a voluntary recall for select lots of canned tuna products that are sold under brand names like Genova, Van Camp’s, Trader Joe’s and H-E-B, the company and U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in a press release Friday.
The recall was made “out of an abundance of caution” after the supplier said there was a manufacturing defect on the tuna can’s “easy open” pull lid on limited products that could compromise “the integrity of the product seal,” the release said.
The defective lid could cause the product to leak or be contaminated with clostridium botulinum — described as “a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.”
Clostridium botulinum can cause botulism, a rare but serious illness that attacks the body’s nerves and can cause difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Consumers who purchased the products are warned not to use it — even if it does not appear or smell spoiled.
The products were distributed to retail stores under the H-E-B label in Texas and under the Trader Joe’s label in 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.
It was also sold as Genova 7 oz. cans in Costco stores in Florida and Georgia, and Genova 5 oz. cans at Harris Teeter, Public, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart and independent retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas.
It was also distributed under the Van Camp’s label in Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.
The company released a list of specific can codes and “Best If Used By” dates impacted in the recall.
Thus far, no illnesses associated with the recalled products have been reported, but anyone who feels unwell after consuming is urged to seek immediate medical attention.
Anyone with a recalled tuna can may return it to the retailer for a full refund, throw it away or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.
The recall does not impact any other Tri-Union Seafoods products, the company said, adding: “Tri-Union Seafoods is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards.”
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