Alert at Walmart and Costco: tuna cans recalled due to contamination risk, what should you know?

Thousands of canned Tuna products have been recalled in 27 US states due to food poisoning fears.

On Friday, Tri-Union Seafoods, based in El Segundo, California, issued a voluntary recall of select lots of canned tuna products sold under the Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s brand names. The products were distributed nationwide to major retailers including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Kroger and Publix and other national grocery chains.

Which canned tuna products have been recalled?

Tri-Union Seafoods initiated the recall as a precaution after being notified by supplier that: “The easy open pull tab can lid on limited products encountered 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, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.

What is Clostridium Botulinum?

According to the World Health Organization, Clostridium Botulinum is a bacterium that produces dangerous toxins (botulinum toxins) under low-oxygen conditions. Botulinum toxins block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism usually appear within 12 to 36 hours (within a minimum and maximum range of 4 hours to 8 days) after exposure. They include: fatigue, weakness and vertigo, usually followed by blurred vision, dry mouth and difficulty in swallowing and speaking. Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal swelling may also occur.

Consumers are warned not to eat the canned tuna products that have been identified from batches that have packaging defects - even if it does not look or smell spoiled. 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.

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