Tri-Union Seafoods, based in El Segundo, California, has issued a voluntary recall of select lots of canned tuna products due to potential risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning that can cause severe or fatal illness.
Background
The recall was initiated after the company was notified by a supplier that the “pull tab can lid on limited products encountered a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the product seal (especially over time), causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum.”
Distribution
The impacted product was distributed to retail stores under different labels in multiple states:
- 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
Product Details
| Label | Product | Size | UPC Code | Can Code | Best if Used by Date |
| Genova | Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil | 5 oz | 4800000215 | S94N 42K | 12/12/2027 |
| S94N 43K | 12/12/2027 | ||||
| S94N 44K | 12/12/2027 | ||||
| S94N D1L | 1/24/2028 | ||||
| Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil | 5 oz | 4800013265 | S84N D1N | 1/13/2028 | |
| S84N D2M | 1/17/2028 | ||||
| Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 4 Pack | 5 oz | 4800073265 | S84N 41M | 12/13/2027 | |
| S84N 42M | 12/13/2027 | ||||
| S84N 42N | 12/13/2027 | ||||
| S84N 43N | 12/13/2027 | ||||
| S84N D1L | 1/21/2028 | ||||
| S84N D1L | 1/23/2028 | ||||
| S84N D3L | 1/24/2028 | ||||
| Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 6 pack | 7 oz | 4800063267 | S84N D1D | 1/21/2028 | |
| S84N D1D | 1/23/2028 | ||||
| S84N D3D | 1/23/2028 | ||||
| S84N D1D | 1/27/2028 | ||||
| S84N D2D | 1/27/2028 | ||||
| Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt | 5 oz | 4800013275 | S88N D1M | 1/17/2028 | |
| Van Camp’s | Solid Light Tuna in Oil | 5 oz | 4800025015 | S83N 45K | 12/2/2027 |
| Solid Light Tuna in Oil 4 pack | 5 oz | 4800075015 | S83N 45K | 12/2/2027 | |
| Trader Joe’s | Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil | NA | 51403 | S74N D2M | 1/10/2028 |
| Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil | NA | 99287 | S94N D3N | 1/13/2028 | |
| S94N D4N | 1/13/2028 | ||||
| Solid White Tuna in Water | NA | 99285 | S92N D1L | 1/9/2028 | |
| S92N D2L | 1/9/2028 | ||||
| Solid White Water Low Sodium | NA | 95836 | S91N 41K | 12/12/2027 | |
| S91N 43M | 12/13/2027 | ||||
| S91N 44M | 12/13/2027 | ||||
| Solid White Water No Salt Added | NA | 99284 | S90N D2N | 1/8/2028 | |
| S90N D1M | 1/9/2028 | ||||
| S90N D2N | 1/9/2028 | ||||
| H-E-B | Solid White Tuna in Water 4 pack | 5 oz | 4122043345 | S9FA 45K | 12/12/2027 |
| S9FA 46K | 12/12/2027 |
Consumer Action
As with all food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected product even if it looks or smells safe to eat.
Anyone in possession of the recalled product is requested to not sell, serve, or distribute them.
Consumers should thoroughly sanitize any surface or utensils that have come into contact with the recalled product.
The affected product should be discarded, returned to the place of purchase for a full refund, or consumers can contact the company for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact the company by phone at 833-374-0171 from Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST or by email at [email protected].
Health Risks
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. However, any consumer experiencing symptoms of botulism should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium responsible for botulism. Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The most common source of infection is consuming contaminated food, often due to improper handling or preservation. Homemade pickled foods and improperly canned goods are frequent culprits.
Symptoms of botulism typically appear within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, though they can manifest as early as two hours or as late as eight days post-consumption. Symptoms may present as gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, blurred vision, or muscle weakness.
There have been several cases of botulism in the news last year. Food Poisoning News reported on the hospitalization of two sisters from botulism in California, a recall of canned coffee drinks over the potential for botulism contamination, and an outbreak of botulism linked to a food delivery service in Moscow that led to the hospitalization of 121 people.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading Clostridium botulinum lawyer said, “Botulism has the potential to be extremely dangerous in rare cases. If untreated, it can lead to death. I strongly urge anyone with the recalled tuna to return it to the store or throw it away safely.”
