A massive recall was announced this week involving canned tuna fish that sold throughout the United States, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The recall, which was made out of an abundance of caution, was made after it was discovered that the "easy open" 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, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
Clostridium botulinum can cause botulism, which is a rare but serious illness. It is caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves, which leads to difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.
According to the CDC, botulism is an emergency is a serious situation and people with symptoms should see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
Tri-Union Seafoods issued the voluntary recall on select lots of canned tuna products sold under the Genova®, Van Camp's®, H-E-B, and Trader Joe's brand names.
This voluntary recall was made after the company received notification from their supplier regarding a manufacturing defect that may lead to issues with the "easy open" pull tab can lid, which could compromise the integrity of the product seal.
Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Consumers feeling unwell should seek immediate medical attention. Thankfully, no illnesses associated with these recalled products have been reported and the recall is being conducted to ensure consumer safety.
The recalled products were distributed to retail stores as follows:
Genova 5 oz., sold at Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and independent retailers in:
Van Camp's label, sold at Walmart and independent retailers in:
H-E-B label, sold in Texas
If you have a recalled tuna can, you should 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.
Click the button below for detailed information on the products included in this recall, including specific can codes, Best if Used By dates indicated on the bottom of the cans, and UPC numbers.
Consumers can contact Tri-Union Seafoods at support@thaiunionhelp.zendesk.com or 833-374-0171 if they have any questions or want to request a replacement product. The toll-free number is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
It's important to note that this recall does not affect any other Tri-Union Seafoods products, as this potential defect did not impact any other product packaging. Tri-Union Seafoods stresses that it is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards.