Canned tuna brands sold at Costco, Kroger, Walmart and more recalled over botulism risk

(Gray News) - Some canned tuna brands sold at stores like Costco, Kroger and Walmart are being recalled due to a packaging error that poses a risk of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Tri-Union Seafoods is voluntarily recalling select lots of canned tuna products sold under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s brand names.

EN ESPAÑOL: FDA ordena retirar atún enlatado vendido en Trader Joe’s, Costco y H-E-B por riesgo de botulismo

The impacted products were distributed to a variety of stores, including Costco, Publix, Kroger and Walmart, in at least 26 states and the District of Columbia.

Affected states include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The FDA website has a list of recalled products, as well as the brand names sold and type of stores impacted in each affected state.

Tri-Union Seafoods says the recall comes after their supplier notified them the “easy open” pull tab can lid on some products ended up with a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the seal, causing it to leak or be contaminated with clostridium botulinum bacteria.

This bacteria can lead to cases of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. While no illnesses associated with the recalled products have been reported, anyone feeling unwell should seek immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing, muscle weakness, vision problems, slurred speech, vomiting or nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers are warned not to use any recalled tuna cans even if they do not look or smell spoiled. The products can be returned to the retailer for a full refund or thrown away. Consumers can also contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.

Anyone with questions can contact Tri-Union Seafoods at [email protected] or 833-374-0171. The toll-free number hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.