Canned tuna sold at several U.S. grocery chains recalled over botulism risk
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Select canned tuna products from grocers including Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe's are being recalled due to potential botulism risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday.
Why it matters: Tri-Union Seafoods issued a voluntary recall on its canned tuna sold in multiple states, the FDA said, though no illnesses have been linked to the products thus far.
- The recall affects products sold under the Genova, Van Camp's, H-E-B, and Trader Joe's brand names.
Tri-Union Seafoods says voluntary recall is out of "abundance of caution"
The big picture: The "easy open" pull tab on affected products "encountered a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the product seal," the company said in a statement.
- The pull tab malfunction could cause leaks or lead to clostridium botulinum contamination, the company said.
- Recalled products have specific can codes and "Best if Used By" dates that the FDA lists on its website, spanning December 2, 2027 through January 27, 2028.
The affected products were distributed to stores in the following states:
- H-E-B label - Texas
- Trader Joe's label – 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
- Genova 7 oz. - Costco in Florida and Georgia
- Genova 5 oz. - 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 – Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey
What is botulism
Threat level: Foodborne botulism is rare but potentially fatal if not treated quickly, according to the World Health Organization.
- Early symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and vertigo, typically followed by blurred vision, dry mouth, and difficulty speaking and swallowing.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal swelling may also occur, according to WHO.
- Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 36 hours, with a minimum and maximum range of 4 hours and 8 days, respectively.
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