Americans in nine states at risk of catastrophic medical complications after contaminated tuna was accidentally shipped nationwide
Millions of Americans are at risk of ingesting a neurotoxin and suffering catastrophic medical complications after contaminated cans of tuna were accidentally shipped to grocery stores nationwide.
The tuna products, sold by Tri-Union Seafoods, were part of a 2025 recall over botulism fears.
The products were first pulled from shelves in February 2025 because the seal on the cans’ ‘easy-open’ tabs can weaken over time, allowing air to enter, which poses a risk of botulism.
Botulism is a rare but deadly type of food poisoning that causes progressive, descending paralysis that typically begins in the face and eyes, moving to the throat and chest, causing difficulty swallowing and breathing, and then spreads to the limbs.
While the recall was issued nearly a year ago, the FDA said a third-party distributor recently accidentally shipped some of the products to stores in nine states.
The recalled products are Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil sold in a four-pack of 5-oz cans and Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt sold in 5-oz cans.
The best-by dates on the first product are January 21 and 24, 2028 and on the latter, January 17, 2028.
The FDA recall states the cans were sold in Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin; Giant Food locations in Maryland and Virginia; and Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in California.
Among the recalled products are Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt (pictured above)
The FDA recall states the cans were sold in Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, and Safeway stores in California (file photos)
No injuries or illness have been reported in connection to this recall and the recall was made out of an abundance of caution, the company said.
Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
People can contract it from contaminated food, if the bacterium enters a wound, if they receive too much botulinum toxin during a medical or cosmetic procedure or by inhaling the toxin if it becomes airborne.
Symptoms include muscle weakness or paralysis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and difficulty breathing.
It is an immediate medical emergency and requires doctors to administer an antitoxin. If not treated, paralysis can move to breathing muscles and be deadly.
Recovery can take weeks and involve specialized occupational and physical therapy as well as breathing difficulties for years to follow.
Botulism is rare in the US but late last year an outbreak linked to ByHeart baby formula was identified that sickened 51 infants across 19 states from December 2023 to December 2025.
In the latest tuna recall, the UPC on the tuna in olive oil is 4800073265 and can codes are S84N D2L and S84N D3L. The UPC on tuna with sea salt is 4800013275 and the can code is S88N D1M.
Officials are urging Americans not to eat the products even if the tuna looks and smells normal and to return it the place of purchase or contact Tri-Union Seafoods.
