Unfortunately, we have some bad news for tinned fish lovers. If you were planning on making some of Matthew McConaughey’s tuna salad this week, you may have to put that on pause. Tri-Union Seafoods issued a recall of its canned tuna products on February 7. The recall was made “out of an abundance of caution” due to a manufacturing defect that could put consumers at risk of botulism poisoning.

What caused the tuna recall?

One of Tri-Union Seafoods’ suppliers found a manufacturing defect. The seals on some cans with “easy open” pull-tab lids were compromised. This means that, over time, the cans could leak or be contaminated with a bacteria called clostridium botulinum. Ingesting this bacteria can lead to botulism, which is a very serious and potentially fatal form of food poisoning.

According to the WHO, symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin 12 to 36 hours after the toxin gets into your body and can include:

  • Vertigo
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Trouble swallowing or speaking
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
  • Weakness in the neck and arms
  • Paralysis
  • Respiratory failure

If you experience any of these symptoms after eating a recalled item, get medical attention right away.

What products have been recalled?

Cans of Genova tuna stacked on a displayRob Kim/Getty Images

Check to see if any of your cans of tuna have been affected by the recall. First, look at the brand of tuna, as well as the retail location you purchased it from. Tri-Union noted that recalled impacted products were distributed to these retail locations:

  • 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 7 oz.: Costco in Florida and Georgia
  • Genova 5 oz.: Harris Teeter, Publix, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and independent retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas
  • Van Camp’s label: Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey

Next, look at the can’s UPC and can code (located on the bar code) and expiration date (typically on the bottom of the can). Here is a list of all of the items that have been recalled:

Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil, 5 ounces, UPC 4800000215

  • Can code: S94N 42K, Best if used by 12/12/2027
  • Can code: S94N 43K, Best if used by 12/12/2027
  • Can code: S94N 44K, Best if used by 12/12/2027
  • Can code: S94N D1L, Best if used by 1/24/2028

GenovaYellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil, 5 ounces, UPC 4800013265

  • Can code: S84N D1N, Best if used by 1/13/2028
  • Can code: S84N D2M, Best if used by 1/17/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5 ounces, 4 Pack, UPC 4800073265

  • Can code: S84N 41M, Best if used by 12/13/2027
  • Can code: S84N 42M, Best if used by 12/13/2027
  • Can code: S84N 42N, Best if used by 12/13/2027
  • Can code: S84N 43N, Best if used by 12/13/2027
  • Can code: S84N D1L, Best if used by 1/21/2028
  • Can code: S84N D1L, Best if used by 1/23/2028
  • Can code: S84N D3L, Best if used by 1/24/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 7 ounces, 6 Pack, UPC 4800063267

  • Can code: S84N D1D, Best if used by 1/21/2028
  • Can code: S84N D1D, Best if used by 1/23/2028
  • Can code: S84N D3D, Best if used by 1/23/2028
  • Can code: S84N D1D, Best if used by 1/27/2028
  • Can code: S84N D2D, Best if used by 1/27/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5 ounces, UPC 4800013275

  • Can code: S88N D1M, Best if used by 1/17/2028

Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 ounces, UPC 4800025015

  • Can code: S83N 45K, Best if used by 12/2/2027

Van Camp’s Solid Light Tuna in Oil 5 ounces, 4 Pack, UPC 4800075015

  • Can code: S83N 45K, Best if used by 12/2/2027

Trader Joe’s Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil, UPC 51403

  • Can code: S74N D2M, Best if used by 1/10/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil, UPC 99287

  • Can code: S94N D3N, Best if used by 1/13/2028
  • Can code: S94N D4N, Best if used by 1/13/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Tuna in Water, UPC 99285

  • Can code: S92N D1L, Best if used by 1/9/2028
  • Can code: S92N D2L, Best if used by 1/9/2028

Trader Joe’s Solid White Water Low Sodium, UPC 95836

  • Can code: S91N 41K, Best if used by 12/12/2027
  • Can code: S91N 43M, Best if used by 12/13/2027
  • Can code: S91N 44M, Best if used by 12/13/2027

Trader Joe’s Solid White Water No Salt Added, UPC 99284

  • Can code: S90N D2N, Best if used by 1/8/2028
  • Can code: S90N D1M, Best if used by 1/9/2028
  • Can code: S90N D2N, Best if used by 1/9/2028

H-E-B Solid White Tuna in Water, 5 ounces, 4 Pack, UPC 4122043345

  • Can code: S9FA 45K, Best if used by 12/12/2027
  • Can code: S9FA 46K, Best if used by 12/12/2027

What should I do next?

If you have a recalled can of tuna, do not eat it, even if it doesn’t look spoiled or smell bad. You can toss it, return it to the store for a refund, or contact Tri-Union for a replacement.

Author
Hayley Schueneman
Hayley Schueneman (she/her) is an editor and writer for Taste of Home. She's loved all things food for as long as she can remember. Hayley has worked in media, marketing, food service and as a supervisor at Whole Foods, where a customer once threw a bag of quinoa at her head. (Don't worry, she still loves quinoa.) Her areas of expertise include veg...
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Hayley Schueneman
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Rachel Vigoda
Now Taste of Home’s deputy editor, Rachel has been writing about food, travel and other lifestyle topics for 20 years. When she’s not tracking culinary trends at work, find Rachel experimenting with vegan recipes, trying new restaurants, and planning weekend getaways inspired by her guidebook, "Moon Pennsylvania."
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Rachel Vigoda