Canned Tuna Pulled from Major Retailers Due to Botulism Worries
If you have a few cans of tuna stashed away for quick lunches, it might be time to check your pantry. Tri-Union Seafoods just announced a sweeping nationwide recall for canned tuna over concerns about botulism risk, affecting products sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and more.
The problem centers around a manufacturing glitch in the 'easy-open' pull-tab lids—those metal tops that make opening a can a two-second job. Turns out, some of these lids might not be sealing the cans tight enough. Over time, that tiny gap lets air in or product out, and that’s all it takes for Clostridium botulinum—the bacteria responsible for botulism—to get in and multiply. That’s pretty scary, since you won’t see, smell, or taste any difference in contaminated food.
Let’s break down which brands and stores are on the list. The recall hits these big names:
- Trader Joe’s: Sold across 18 states and Washington D.C., including big markets like New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Midwest.
- Genova: 5-ounce cans at places like Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and California stores; 7-ounce cans at Costco in Florida and Georgia.
- H-E-B: Sold across Texas.
- Van Camp’s: At Walmart and independent stores in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey.
The FDA says the affected cans carry 'best if used by' dates between 2027 and 2028 and specific lot codes—so it’s not just a random can here and there. Tri-Union Seafoods is urging customers to double-check their stores and at home. If your can matches the recall info, don’t eat it—bring it back for a refund, or toss it. It doesn't matter if it looks, smells, or tastes normal. Botulism doesn’t give off tell-tale warnings.
Why This Recall Matters—and How to Stay Safe
While there haven’t been any illness reports so far, the potential consequences are serious. Botulism is not your run-of-the-mill stomach bug. This toxin can paralyze muscles, cause double vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and can even be fatal if not treated quickly. And because it doesn’t spoil the tuna in a way you could notice, the only safe move is to check your cans' dates and lot codes.
If you’ve already eaten tuna from the affected lots and start feeling odd muscle weakness, have trouble speaking, or notice any shortness of breath, you shouldn’t shrug it off. Get checked out fast—doctors know what to do, but speed matters.
This recall shows how a packaging defect—something invisible on the outside—can quietly turn a trusted food into a health risk. It also shows why recalls happen even when no one gets sick: companies want to stay ahead of any actual outbreak. For now, having canned tuna as a backup meal is smart, but only if you know your cans are in the clear.
- Check your pantry for recalled brands (Trader Joe’s, Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B).
- Look for 'best if used by' dates ranging from 2027 to 2028.
- If you find any recalled cans, return them or discard them—don’t taste or open to check.
With no odd smell or color to warn you, the only safe bet is to trust the recall notice. Canned food is supposed to last for years, but only if that seal stays tight.
