FDA issues recall for canned tuna due to botulism risk

The FDA in the USA reports a major recall of canned tuna due to a manufacturing defect in the can lid, which could pose a risk of botulinum contamination

Whenever issues are raised with tuna, the first thing anyone thinks of is overfishing, pollution in the environment, or mercury poisoning. However, a new notice issued by the United States is raising new doubts among consumers: canned tuna sold by some companies is said to be contaminated with botulism and therefore withdrawn from the markets.

FDA recall notice

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an immediate recall announcement, reporting that Tri-Union Seafoods is voluntarily recalling select cans of tuna sold under the brands Genova®, Van Camp’s®, HEB, and Trader Joe’s®.

The recall was prompted by a manufacturing defect in the easy-open pull-tab lids, which might compromise the integrity of the seal, allowing for leaks or contamination with Clostridium botulinum — the bacteria responsible for causing botulism, a severe form of food poisoning.

The FDA recommends that consumers not eat the product even if it appears unopened and free of unusual odors. Contamination can occur without visible signs of spoilage.

Any individual with symptoms that are consistent with botulism should get immediate medical attention. No cases of illness have been reported concerning the products being recalled to date, but the precautionary measure was done for food safety.

Health risks

Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic bacterium that thrives in oxygen-free environments, such as improperly sealed canned foods.

Even though the presence of botulinum spores is only suspected in this recall, the tuna was recalled preemptively because botulinum toxin is so dangerous. Symptoms of botulism include breathing difficulty, muscle paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.

Affected products

The contaminated batches of canned tuna have been distributed across several U.S. states such as Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York, and California in large supermarket chain stores such as Walmart, Costco, Publix, and Safeway.

Impacted can codes are available on the FDA website. If someone has bought a recalled can, they may return it for a refund at the store or call Tri-Union Seafoods to obtain a replacement.

Source: FDA