If you picked up a jar of Marvel Food and Deli’s house-canned tomato salsa recently, local health officials want you to think twice before twisting that lid. The Auburn-based grocer is recalling its in-house “Country Style Adjika” after inspectors found that the way it was canned could let the bacteria that cause botulism grow. The product, sold in 32-ounce glass jars, has been pulled from shelves at both the Auburn and Tacoma stores, and customers are being urged to return jars for a refund or double-bag and toss them. So far, the company and local public-health officials say no illnesses have been reported.
Marvel Food and Deli announced the recall on March 11 in a notice on its website, saying the salsa was produced from January 2024 through March 2026 and sold only at its Auburn and Tacoma locations, according to Marvel Food and Deli. The store identifies the item as “Country Style Adjika” (SKU 72176232104), and says it has pulled all in-house jars from shelves while working with health departments. Customers with questions are directed to call 253-249-5056.
Public Health - Seattle & King County reported that an inspection found the adjika had been canned using an unapproved process that could let the microbe behind botulism grow, which triggered the recall, KIRO 7 reports. Marvel says it is coordinating with Public Health - Seattle & King County, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Washington State Department of Health on safe disposal and customer outreach. The company also stresses that no other Marvel products are included in this recall.
What to watch for and what to do
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the nerves and can lead to difficulty breathing, blurred vision and descending paralysis. Symptoms typically start about 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because improperly processed low-acid canned foods create ideal conditions for the bacteria to produce toxin, health officials treat suspected exposures as urgent. If you or someone in your household develops these symptoms after eating the salsa, seek emergency medical care immediately and tell clinicians about possible botulism exposure.
Return, disposal and store response
Marvel’s notice instructs customers to bring jars back to either the Auburn or Tacoma store for a full refund, or to double-bag the product and put it in household trash. Store staff say all existing jars have been removed from shelves and that they are working with health departments on safe disposal. If you think you may have eaten the product and you feel unwell, contact your medical provider or local health department right away.
A checkered canning history
This is not Marvel Food & Deli’s first brush with regulators over canning. The business previously carried out a voluntary recall in 2014 after officials said its canning procedures had not been approved, a step that also involved adjika and tomato products, according to Food Safety News. That recall likewise warned customers not to use jars even if they looked or smelled normal. The repeat issue underscores how risky small-scale canning can be when it does not follow approved procedures.
Where to get more information
For updates, Marvel lists its Auburn store at 615 C St SW and its Tacoma location at 301 133rd St S and can be reached at 253-249-5056. The company has posted full recall details on its website, according to Marvel Food and Deli. Initial local coverage of the recall comes from KIRO 7.
