Tuna Sold At Walmart, Major CA Grocery Chains Recalled For Botulism

CALIFORNIA, CA — A California-based company has recalled canned tuna sold at some of the nation's largest retailers due to the risk of a potentially-fatal form of food poisoning, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Tri-Union Seafoods, of El Segundo, is recalling select lots of canned tuna products that were sold nationally under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s brand names. The company has said customers should not eat any affected product, "even if it does not look or smell spoiled."

The company said that the "easy open" pull tab can on some of the cans has a manufacturing defect, which can cause the cans to leak or be contaminated with botulism — a rare but serious illness that attacks the body's nervous system.

The impacted products sold in California are 5 oz. cans of Genova-brand tuna, according to the FDA's advisory.

The agency says those products were sold at Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and independent retailers in the state. It's unclear if those products were also sold at Food 4 Less and Ralphs, which are owned by Kroger, or at Albertson's, which is the owner of Safeway.

Genova Solid White Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz, UPC: 4800000215

• Can code: S94N 42K, best by date: 12/12/2027
• Can code: S94N 43K, best by date: 12/12/2027
• Can code: S94N 44K, best by date: 12/12/2027
• Can code: S94N D1L, best by date: 1/24/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz, UPC: 4800013265

• Can code: S84N D1N, best by date: 1/13/2028
• Can code: S84N D2M, best by date: 1/17/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack, UPC: 4800073265

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

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5.0 oz, UPC: 4800013275

• Can code: S88N D1M, best by date: 1/17/2028

Impacted products were sold at Trader Joe's and Costco in other states, but those brands' California stores are not included in the FDA's advisory. A full list of impacted products is available on the FDA's website.

There have been no reported illnesses linked to these products, the FDA said.

Consumers who have one of the recalled cans are asked to return it to the retailer for a full refund, throw the can away, contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product. Tri-Union Seafoods can be contacted at support@thaiunionhelp.zendesk.com or 833-374-0171, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.