This canned tuna poses a deadly risk. What you need to know about the FDA’s new warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted the public to a threat posed by select canned tuna products. The canned tuna is at risk of harboring the bacterium that causes botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. Here’s what you need to know about the canned tuna recall.

What’s happened?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has posted a recall notice on its website announcing that select cans of Genova Yellowfin Tuna have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism in humans and animals who consume it.

The canned tuna is produced by the El Segundo, California Tri-Union Seafoods company, which initiated the voluntary recall after it became aware that a third-party distributor had “inadvertently released quarantined product” that was linked to a recall in early 2025.

That recall was related to a flaw in the “easy open” pull tab lid on select canned tuna products. The flaw meant that the seal on the can could be impacted, which could cause the tuna inside to leak or for bacteria like Clostridium botulinum to enter the product.

Tri-Union Seafoods has learned that some quarantined products from that recall were inadvertently distributed by a third-party distributor, hence the new recall.

What canned tuna is being recalled?

There are multiple canned tuna products being recalled. The products are sold in cans under the Genova brand. The recalled products include:

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack

• UPC: 4800073265
• Can Code: S84N D2L
• Best if Used By Date: 1/21/2028

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack

• UPC: 4800073265
• Can Code: S84N D3L
• Best if Used 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 if Used By Date: 1/17/2028
• Product photos can be found in the recall notice here.

Which states were the recalled tuna sold in?

The recalled canned tuna was sold in nine states, including:

• California
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Ohio
• Wisconsin
• Virginia

Which stores were the recalled tuna sold in?

According to the recall notice, the recalled canned tuna was distributed to six retailers. These include:

• Albertsons stores in California
• Giant Food stores in Maryland and Virginia
• Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin
• Pavilions stores in California
• Safeway stores in California
• Vons stores in California

What should I do if I have the recalled tuna?

The recall notice stresses that even if the recalled product doesn’t smell or look spoiled, you should not use it.

Instead, you should dispose of the recalled canned tuna or take it back to its place of purchase for a full refund.

Alternately, consumers with the recalled product can contact Tri-Union Seafoods for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement can of tuna.

Full details about the tuna recall can be found in the notice posted to the FDA’s website.