Canned tuna sold at popular retailers like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Walmart has been recalled by the manufacturer, Tri-Union Seafood, because of faulty easy-open lids. These could leak over time or let in the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which if consumed can cause botulism, according to a company announcement posted Monday on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
C. botulinum can cause potentially life-threatening food poisoning. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Recalled cans have best-by dates in 2027 and 2028. A full list of UPC codes can be found on the FDA’s website.
The recalled tuna was sold at the following stores in the following states:
- H-E-B label, sold in Texas
- Trader Joe’s label, sold in Delaware; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Virginia; Washington, DC; and Wisconsin
- Genova (7 oz), sold at Costco in Florida and Georgia
- Genova (5 oz), sold at 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, sold at Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey
If you have any of the recalled tuna, you should return it for a full refund at the place of purchase or throw it out. You should not eat the tuna, even if it doesn’t look or smell spoiled, Tri-Union says.
What Is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but life-threatening type of food poisoning caused by the toxin C. botulinum. It can cause muscle weakness that makes it harder to breathe, and may even lead to death.
Common symptoms of botulism include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness
- Double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty moving the eyes
Foodborne botulism may also cause:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
Botulism is a medical emergency. If you think you have it, you should seek medical care immediately.
