Check Your Pantry! HEB, Trader Joe’s, Van Camp®, and Genova® Canned Tuna Recall Due to Botulism Risk

Image by Araceli Jáuregui from Pixabay

Check your pantry for a canned tuna recall affecting several major brands.

A major tuna manufacturer initiated a recall that affects several private labels.

Do you have canned tuna in your pantry? Now is the time to check those labels, or risk serious illness.

Here’s what we know about the canned tuna recall and what products are affected.

Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Canned Tuna Recall for Several Private Labels

The major tuna manufacturer, Tri-Union Seafoods issued a voluntary recall for select lots of canned tuna products bearing the Genova®, Van Camp’s®, HEB, and Trader Joe’s labels.

What Is the Reason for the Recall?

The recall has been initiated due to concerns involving a defect in the packaging. The supplier of their “easy open” pull tab lid may be compromised. A problem that can impact the integrity of the product seal over time. This defect may lead to leakage or spoilage with a potentially fatal form of food poisoning caused by Clostridium botulinum.

Consumers are warned that even if the product does not look or smell spoiled, it is not safe to consume.

Where Was Recalled Product Distributed?

Individual brands were distributed to different states.

Affected product was distributed to retail stores as follows:

H-E-B label – Texas
Trader Joe’s label – Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin
Genova label (7 oz cans) – Costco in Florida and Georgia
Genova label (5 oz cans) – Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and independent retailers in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas
Van Camp’s label – Walmart and independent retailers in the states of Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey.

Specific Lots Being Recalled

Genova UPC Can Code Best By Date
Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz	4800000215	S94N 42K	12/12/2027
		S94N 43K	12/12/2027
		S94N 44K	12/12/2027
		S94N D1L	1/24/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz	4800013265	S84N D1N	1/13/2028
Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz	4800013265	S84N D2M	1/17/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack	4800073265	S84N 41M	12/13/2027
		S84N 42M	12/13/2027
		S84N 42N	12/13/2027
		S84N 43N	12/13/2027
		S84N D1L	1/21/2028
		S84N D1L	1/23/2028
		S84N D3L	1/24/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 7.0 oz 6 Pack	4800063267	S84N D1D	1/21/2028
		S84N D1D	1/23/2028
		S84N D3D	1/23/2028
		S84N D1D	1/27/2028
		S84N D2D	1/27/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5.0 oz	4800013275	S88N D1M	1/17/2028


Van Camp’s Seafood UPC Can Code Best By Date
Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5.0 oz	4800025015	S83N 45K	12/2/2027

Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 oz 4 Pack	4800075015	S83N 45K	12/2/2027


Trader Joe’s UPC Can Code Best By Date
Trader Joe’s Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil	51403	S74N D2M	1/10/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil	99287	S94N D3N	1/13/2028
Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil	99287	S94N D4N	1/13/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Water	99285	S92N D1L	1/9/2028
Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Water	99285	S92N D2L	1/9/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Water Low Sodium	95836	S91N 41K	12/12/2027
		S91N 43M	12/13/2027
		S91N 44M	12/13/2027

Trader Joe’s Solid White Water No Salt Added	99284	S90N D2N	1/8/2028
		S90N D1M	1/9/2028
		S90N D2N	1/9/2028


H-E-B UPC Can Code Best By Date
H-E-B Solid White Tuna in Water 5.0 oz 4 Pack	4122043345	S9FA 45K	12/12/2027
H-E-B Solid White Tuna in Water 5.0 oz 4 Pack	4122043345	S9FA 46K	12/12/2027

No Illnesses Have Been Reported

So far there have been no reports of illness or adverse reaction associated with this recall. The recall is being conducted to ensure consumer safety and to remove potentially harmful products from the market before they become unsafe.

What is Botulism?

Botulism is a rare but serious illness that is caused by a toxin. This toxin attacks the body’s nerves and is most known for its paralysis symptoms.

Botulism toxin is most associated with the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. However, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii can also produce this toxin.

These bacteria can be found in many natural places, however the bacteria, itself, rarely makes people sick. These bacteria make spores that act as protective coverings to help it survive under extreme conditions. Even these spores generally cause no illness; even when consumed.

However, under certain conditions, the spore can grow and produce a toxin. It is this toxin that causes the majority of reported illnesses.

What Conditions Prompt These Spores to Produce Toxins?

Certain favorable conditions promote botulinum toxin formation.

These conditions include:

Low salt
Low acid
Low sugar
A certain amount of water
A certain temperature range
Low-oxygen or no oxygen (anaerobic) environment

Improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods provide these optimal conditions that allow spores to grow and produce botulinum toxin.

Or say… A compromised seal on canned tuna.

Botulism Symptoms

Adults can fall ill with botulism; however children are at higher risk. Infants often produce different symptoms than adults. Though infants are unlikely to consume this canned tuna recall product.

If the infection is foodborne, symptoms usually begin around 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food.

Botulism symptoms in adults:

Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Paralysis

People experiencing botulism may not experience all of these symptoms at the same time.

For informational purposes, botulism symptoms in Infants may cause:

Constipation
Poor feeding
Drooping eyelids
Difficulty breathing
Pupils that are slow to react to light
Face showing less expression than usual
Weak cry that sounds different than usual

These symptoms all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If left untreated, it can progress, and symptoms may worsen. Paralysis of the muscles used in breathing and in the arms and legs can cause serious complications.

Seek medication attention immediately if you are someone you know has symptoms of botulism. The condition can worsen rapidly and become life-threatening.

How Are You Diagnosed with Botulism After Exposure?

Botulism requires specialized testing to ensure proper diagnosis. Symptoms overlap with other illnesses, such as Guillain-Barrè syndrome, meningitis, myasthenia gravis, stroke, and opioid overdose.

Tests used to diagnose someone with symptoms consistent with botulism include:

Brain scan
Spinal fluid examination
Tensilon test for myasthenia gravis
Nerve and muscle function tests (nerve conduction study and electromyography)

Doctors tend to start there. If these tests are not conclusive, the next step is to order laboratory tests that may identify the toxin or bacteria that causes botulism. In some cases, treatment is started before results are returned from the laboratory if the doctor has ruled out other illnesses and suspects a botulism diagnosis.

Have You Consumed Products Included in This Canned Tuna Recall and Became Sick?

If you have become sick after consuming recalled product and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a food poisoning lawyer that can help.

We expect the food we purchase and consume to be free of harmful contaminants and safe to eat. When lapses in safety measure take place, people get sick.

The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in product liability and food poisoning lawsuits for cases just like yours.

Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Or fill out the online submission form and someone will get back with you soon.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)

Heather Van Tassell