Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Several canned tuna brands have been pulled from shelves at Trader Joe’s, H-E-B, Costco and Walmart over concerns about contamination that could cause a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.Tri-Union Seafoods voluntarily issued the recall last Friday “out of an abundance of caution.” Newsweek has contacted the firm via email for comment.Why It MattersThe recall was triggered by “a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the product seal (especially over time), causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.The bacteria can cause a type of serious food poisoning that could be deadly.People have been warned not to use the affected products, even if they do not look or smell spoiled.What to KnowCanned tuna products sold under the brand names Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s are affected by this recall.They were distributed to the following retail stores:H-E-B – TexasTrader Joe’s– Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and WisconsinGenova 7 oz. – Costco in Florida and GeorgiaGenova 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 TexasVan Camp’s– Walmart and independent retailers in Pennsylvania, Florida and New JerseyNo related illnesses had been reported as of Monday. Newsweek has contacted Tri-Union Seafoods to check if this is still the case.
File photo of a tuna salad, taken in 2015.
File photo of a tuna salad, taken in 2015.
AP
What Is Clostridium BotulinumBotulism is a “rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves. Botulism causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Improperly canned foods can provide the right environment for the spores created by the bacteria to make lethal toxins.What People Are SayingTri-Union Seafoods said: “Consumers feeling unwell should seek immediate medical attention. No illnesses associated with the recalled products have been reported and the recall is being conducted to ensure consumer safety.”This recall does not impact any other Tri-Union Seafoods products, as no other product packaging was impacted by this potential defect. Tri-Union Seafoods is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards.”What Happens NextIf you have bought a recalled tuna can, you can return it to the retailer for a full refund, throw it away or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.
