A popular canned food sold in stores around the country, including in Tennessee, has been recalled over a "potentially fatal" health concern.
Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall "out of an abundance of caution" for select lots of canned tuna products sold under the brands Trader Joe's, H-E-B, Genova and Van Camp's after a manufacturing defect with the "easy open" pull tab can lid.
This defect could possibly "compromise the integrity of the product seal (especially over time), causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning," according to a recall notice shared February 10 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
The products were distributed to retail stores in several states, including H-E-B, Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter, Publix, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart and independent retailers. Find the exact lots and UPC numbers of recalled products at the FDA's website.
Clostridium botulinum can produce a toxin called botulism, which can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, blurred vision, trouble swallowing or speaking, dry mouth, facial weakness, trouble breathing and paralysis, per the Mayo Clinic.
Consumers are warned not to consume the affected products, even if doesn't look or smell spoiled, and instead throw them out or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. There have been no reported illnesses in connection to the product at the time of the recall, but consumers feeling sick should seek immediate medical attention.
For more information about the recall and to see a full list of affected products, visit fda.gov.