A broad recall of canned tuna has been announced by Tri-Union Seafoods due to a risk of botulism, a serious form of food poisoning. The recall affects products sold under the Genova, Van Camp's, H-E-B, and Trader Joe's brand names at major retailers including Trader Joe's, Costco, and Walmart. According to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained by NBC New York, the issue was discovered when a supplier notified Tri-Union Seafoods that the "easy open" pull tab can lid on some products had a defect, possibly compromising seal integrity.
Customers have been instructed not to consume the recalled tuna, besides looking or smelling fine, because botulism can affect canned goods without altering their appearance. The FDA and Tri-Union Seafoods, a Thai Union subsidiary and global seafood provider, both stress that no cases of illness relating to the contaminated products have been reported so far. Contacting Tri-Union Seafoods can be done for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product, or they should return it to the retailer for a refund or simply dispose of it, as noted by CBS News.
The affected products include numerous lots specified by can codes and Best if Used By dates located at the bottom of the cans, detailed in the recall notices. Distribution of the impacted items cut across various states and retailers, with Trader Joe's label being found in multiple states ranging from Delaware to Wisconsin, and Genova 7 oz. products sold at some Costco locations in Florida and Georgia. Walmart and independent retailers in states like Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey have been selling the Van Camp's label.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines botulism as a rare but critical condition that attacks the body's nerves, causing problems such as difficulty breathing and muscle paralysis, potentially leading to death. Botulism can strike anyone ingesting food containing the botulinum toxin, which is known for improper home-canning, preservation, or fermenting methods, making it a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
