Late last week, Tri-Union Seafoods out of California recalled 34 lots of canned tuna products sold under four different brand names. The FDA attributes the recall to the health hazards associated with possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
Tri-Union Seafoods announced the recall on Friday, January 7th, identifying products distributed through several major brands, including H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Genova, and Van Camp’s. The specific details for the recalled products are as follows:
- H-E-B Solid White Tuna in Water 5.0-ounce 4-Pack with an expiration date of 12/12/2027 (UPC # 4122043345; Lot numbers S9FA 45K and S9FA 46K)
- Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil with an expiration date of 1/13/2028 (UPC # 99287; Lot numbers S94N D3N and S94N D4N)
- Trader Joe’s Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil with an expiration date of 1/10/2028 (UPC # 51403; Lot number 1/10/2028)
- Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Water with an expiration date of 1/9/2028 (UPC # 99285; Lot numbers S92N D1L and S92N D2L)
- Trader Joe’s Solid White Water Low Sodium with expiration dates of 12/12/2027 and 12/13/2027 (UPC # 95836; Lot numbers S91N 41K, S91N 43M, S91N 44M)
- Trader Joe’s Solid White Water Low Sodium with an expiration date of 1/8/2028 (UPC # 99284; Lot number S90N D2N)
- Trader Joe’s Solid White Water No Salt Added with an expiration date of 1/9/2027 (Lot numbers S90N D1M and S90N D2N)
- Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz with an expiration date of 12/12/2027 (UPC # 4800000215; Lot numbers S94N 42K, S94N 43K, and S94N 44K)
- Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz with an expiration date of 1/24/2028 (UPC # 4800000215; Lot number S94N D1L)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz with expiration dates of 1/13/2028 and 1/17/2028 (UPC # 4800013265; Lot numbers S84N D1N and S84N D2M)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack with an expiration date of 12/13/2027 (UPC # 4800073265; Lot numbers S84N 41M, S84N 42M, S84N 42N, and S84N 43N)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack with expiration dates of 1/21/2028, 1/23/2028, and 1/24/2028 (UPC # 4800073265; Lot numbers S84N D1L, S84N D1L, and S84N D3L)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 7.0 oz 6 Pack with an expiration date of 1/21/2028 and 1/23/2028 (UPC # 4800063267; Lot numbers S84N D1D, S84N D1D, and S84N D3D)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 7.0 oz 6 Pack with an expiration date of 1/27/2028 (UPC # 4800063267; Lot numbers S84N D1D and S84N D2D)
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5.0 oz with an expiration date of 1/17/2028 (UPC # 4800013275; Lot number S88N D1M)
- Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5.0 oz with an expiration of 12/2/2027 (UPC # 4800025015; Lot number S83N 45K)
- Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 oz 4 Pack with an expiration of 12/2/2027 (UPC # 4800075015; Lot number S83N 45K)
The company distributed the H-E-B tuna to H-E-B stores in Texas. The Trader Joe’s products were distributed to Trader Joe’s retail stores in 19 U.S. states, including DE, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, VA, and D.C. Costco stores in Florida and Georgia received Genova brand products, as did Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and additional retailers in AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, NC, NJ, TN, and TX. Finally, Tri-Union distributed the Van Camp’s tuna items to Walmart stores and other retailers in PA, FL, and NJ.
As of February 7th, Tri-Union Seafoods has not received any reports of illness connected to the recalled tuna products. The company initiated the recall after one of their suppliers contacted them about a defect in the pull-tabs on the product lids. According to Tri-Union the defect could cause a gradual breakdown of the seal on the can, leading to contamination with Clostridium botulinum, which is the bacterium that causes botulism food poisoning. According to the CDC, when people eat foods contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, “they can become seriously ill, or even die, if they don’t get proper medical treatment quickly.”
Tri-Union Seafoods advises customers to check the expiration date and lot number printed on the bottom of their canned tuna. Customers in possession of a recalled item should refrain from eating the product and should return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the recall can contact the company at via email at support@thaiunionhelp.zendesk.com or by phone at 833-374-0171 (M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST).
Have you or a loved one suffered an adverse health outcome that can be traced to contamination with Clostridium botulinum in a packaged fish product? We would like to learn about your story and help you build a case toward the compensation necessary for the best possible recovery. Reach out to our experienced attorneys today or try out our free Instant Case Evaluation ℠ to get started.