A massive recall of canned tuna at Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart and other big-name stores around the US was issued over a potentially fatal food poisoning risk.
The voluntary recall includes H-E-B and Trader Joe’s label canned tuna, as well as Genova and Van Camp’s brand canned tuna.
Tri-Union Seafoods announced the recall on February 7 after its supplier informed the company that the cans’ ‘easy open’ pull tab lids have a manufacturing defect.
The defect could cause the cans to leak or be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, which could cause botulism, a form of food poisoning that could be fatal.
The issue affected five varieties of Genova canned tuna, five varieties of Trader Joe’s, two of Van Camp’s, and one H-E-B product.
The products were distributed to stores in 25 states.
Other chains that had the recalled products include Publix, Kroger, Safeway and Harris Teeter.
Tri-Union Seafoods advised all shoppers who purchased the items to return them for a full refund, throw them away, or contact the company for a retrieval kit and product coupon.
Tri-Union Seafoods recalled six-pack of Genova-brand Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil packages sold at Costco stores in Florida and Georgia
Tri-Union Seafoods recalled H-E-B-brand four-pack of Solid White Tuna in Water products from various stores in Texas
Clostridium botulinum is frequently spotted in spores, which are reproductive cells produced by organisms like plants and fungi.
The spores are found in seafood and could be dangerous if they begin to produce the poisonous chemical neurotoxin.
This could lead to botulism – a rare food poisoning that can affect one’s body within 12 to 36 hours after ingesting the affected food, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
However, in some cases botulism symptoms have been recorded to begin between four and eight days after ingestion.
Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are some of the early symptoms an individual can go through once they unintentionally ingest the poison.
Individuals may then suffer from neurological symptoms like double vision, loss of throat and mouth functions, and difficulty breathing.
This food poisoning can occasionally be fatal and be caused by respiratory failure or airway obstructions.
As of now, no illnesses or deaths have been reported due to ingesting the recalled tuna products.
Tri-Union Seafood recalled Trader Joe’s-brand Solid White Water No Salt Added canned tuna products in nearly 20 states
Read More
Gerber baby products recalls popular teething product amid fears of choking risk
The tuna recall is one of multiple made by companies due to health risks this year.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a massive recall on donut and pastry items due to fears of Listeria and monocytogenes contamination earlier this year.
The recalled items were included in products sold in places like Walmart and Dunkin’.
The FDA also issued a recall on 12-oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart stores in 20 states in January.
Other popular products that were recalled earlier this year include BBQ sauce made by Monkey Spit LLC and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Cheeses.