In yet another food recall, consumers are being warned to check their pantries. The reason? The canned tuna they may have purchased is at risk of bacteria contamination. The affected products were sold at stores like Costco, Trader Joe's and Walmart in 26 states, prompting widespread concern. Keep reading to find out more about the canned tuna recall and the potential link to botulism.
Canned tuna recall: why these products are unsafe
Tri-Union Seafoods, a company that manufactures and distributes canned seafood, has issued a voluntary recall of some of its tuna products. What prompted the notice: There was a manufacturing error involving the "easy open" pull tab of the canned goods.
The company believes this defect could impact the product seal and lead to the contents leaking. But the biggest concern is that the faulty seal could cause the tuna to become contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that can cause botulism. This is a rare but potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
When canned foods aren't stored or processed properly, it can cause the bacteria to grow. So a faulty can of tuna means the seafood may not be safe to eat in the long run!
Which canned tuna brands are recalled?
The impacted tuna products were sold under four different labels: Genova, Van Camp, H-E-B, and Trader Joe's. These cans (all with a "best if used by" date of 2027 or 2028) were distributed to different retailers across the country. Here are the products included in the recall:
There was no specific type of tuna that was impacted. The press release shows solid white tuna, yellowfin tuna and solid light were all sold under the aforementioned labels.
What to do if you bought the recalled canned tuna
If you believe you bought one of these products, check the UPC and specific can codes printed on the cans. Therecall notice lists the details for each label of the recalled tuna.
The company states that customers should not use the item even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Instead, you should throw it away or return it to the retailer for a full refund.
You can also contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly to request a coupon for a replacement product. The company can be reached via email at support@thaiunionhelp.zendesk.com or phone at 833-374-0171.
Signs of botulism poisoning from recalled tuna
The bacteria-caused illness may not be common, but it is quite serious. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the bacteria produces a toxin that can attack the nervous system in the body. Symptoms in adults usually begin in the muscles of the eyes, throat and face.
You may notice drooping eyelids, difficulty breathing or swallowing or double or blurred vision. Dry mouth, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting and weakness or paralysis of limbs are also possible.
These symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to several days after ingesting a product contaminated with the bacteria. If left untreated, the results can be fatal.
Though no illnesses have been reported with this recall, you should seek medical attention if you ate one of the tuna products and have experienced any of the concerning symptoms.