Botulism contamination risk led to US-wide recall of canned tuna

The FDA warns consumers not to eat recalled canned tuna, as defective seals may lead to deadly botulism poisoning.

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Several canned tuna products sold by major US grocers, including Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart, have been recalled due to concerns over possible botulism contamination, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday.

The recall affects Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s branded tuna, distributed across multiple states and Washington, DC Tri-Union Seafoods, a subsidiary of Thai Union, initiated the recall after a supplier identified a manufacturing defect in the cans’ “easy open” pull lids, which could compromise the seal and lead to contamination.

Botulism risk from defective seals

Tri-Union Seafoods warned that the defective lids could cause cans to leak or become contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism—a rare but potentially fatal illness.

“The defect may compromise the integrity of the seal, especially over time, causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning,” the company said in the FDA’s recall notice.

Consumers have been urged to immediately stop consuming the recalled tuna, even if it appears normal and does not smell spoiled, as botulism can develop without visible signs of contamination.

FDA and CDC warn of severe health risks

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies botulism as a serious medical emergency that can cause:

• Muscle paralysis
• Difficulty breathing
• Death if untreated
• The bacteria thrive in low-oxygen environments, such as improperly sealed canned foods. Even a small exposure to the toxin can result in life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.

Widespread Retail Impact Across US

The recalled tuna was distributed to major grocery stores across multiple states:

• Trader Joe’s: Sold in 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.
• Costco (Genova brand): Florida, Georgia
• H-E-B (Texas)
• Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart (Genova 5-ounce brand): Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas
• Van Camp’s at Walmart and independent retailers: Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
• Walmart stores: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington

What Consumers Should Do

Consumers who have purchased recalled tuna are advised to:

Return the product to the retailer for a full refund.
Dispose of it immediately to prevent accidental consumption.
Contact Tri-Union Seafoods at [e-mail] or 833-374-0171 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST) to request a retrieval kit and replacement product coupon.

No Reported Illnesses So Far

As of Monday, no illnesses linked to the recalled tuna have been reported, according to the FDA and Tri-Union Seafoods. However, consumers experiencing symptoms of botulism poisoning are urged to seek immediate medical attention.