Several canned tuna products sold at major US retailers, including Walmart , Trader Joe’s, and Costco, have been recalled due to a packaging defect that could lead to contamination with Clostridium botulinum , a potentially deadly bacteria. The products were sold under the Genova, Van Camp's, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s brands.



The voluntary recall by Tri-Union Seafoods came after it was noted that the “'easy open' pull tab can lid on limited products and encountered a manufacturing defect. The company noted that this 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, called foodborne botulism .



What is foodborne botulismAccording to World Health Organization, it is a relatively rare but potentially fatal disease. It is an intoxication usually caused by ingestion of potent neurotoxins, the botulinum toxins, formed in contaminated foods.



Common sources of foodborne botulism are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved, or fermented, says CDC. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.




Signs and symptoms of foodborne botulism

Some of the symptoms of the condition, as per CDC, are difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, difficulty moving the eyes



Other signs include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.



In its
press release, Tri-Union Seafoods requested consumers not to consume the recalled product, even if it does not look or smell spoiled. It also warned that consumers should also seek medical attention immediately if they’re not feeling well. The company declared that as of February 10, “no illnesses associated with the recalled products have been reported and the recall is being conducted to ensure consumer safety.”

The recalled tuna cans with the H-E-B label were available at retail stores across Texas. Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s labeled tuna cans were distributed in stores across 19 states, including New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.



Genova’s seven-ounce cans were sold at Costco locations in Florida and Georgia, while the five-ounce cans were available at Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and various independent retailers in 10 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, and Georgia.



Tuna cans under the Van Camp’s label were stocked at Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey.

If you have the recalled tuna cans, you can either return them to the store you bought them at for a full refund or throw them away. Tri-Union Seafoods also noted that you can contact them “directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.”



Tri-Union Seafoods has urged the consumers to either return the recalled tuna cans and get a full refund or throw them away. The company has also given an additional option to consumers for returning them “directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.”

(Picture courtesy: iStock)