Tri-Union Seafoods Tuna Sold At Trader Joe’s Recalled Over Botulism Risk

Product Recalls - February 15, 2025

Affected Tunas Sold Under Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s Brand Names

Tri-Union Seafoods Tuna Sold At Trader Joe's Recalled Over Botulism Risk

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 15, 2025) – Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a recall because several of its name-brand tunas sold at Trader Joe’s and other retailers can pose a botulism risk.

The products were sold under numerous brand names, including Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s. They could be purchased at numerous retailers, such as Costco, Harris Teeter, Publix, Kroger, and Walmart stores.

The Food and Drug Administration says that the tunas have a manufacturing defect with the easy-open pull tabs. This can compromise the safety of the cans, which can lead to them becoming contaminated with clostridium botulinum.

As of Monday, February 10, no injuries have been reported. The Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s tunas were sold in Illinois and 27 other states.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Illnesses Caused by Canned Tuna

Botulism is a rare and serious toxin that can cause severe damage to a person’s nerves. It can lead to difficulty breathing, muscle damage, and death in certain cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “In 2019, health departments reported 215 cases of botulism to CDC. Among those cases, 201 were laboratory confirmed and 14 were probable.” There are a number of symptoms associated with botulism.

  • Blurred vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle weakness

Companies that create consumer goods such as tuna have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. They must abide by all safety protocols for food preparation and packaging. If there is a design defect with the container that is designed to keep food safe, this could form the basis of a strict product liability claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any person becomes sick from food poisoning.

  • The source of the food poisoning should be determined.
  • Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
  • It should be determined if the affected product was on any recall lists.
  • An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

It could be hard to know what to do if you’ve been injured by botulism. Many victims will need to take extensive periods of time away from work. They may also be saddled with high medical bills. It is important for victims and their families to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to hold food manufacturers responsible through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Getting Legal Help for Injuries Caused by Canned Tuna

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the botulism risk involving Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s branded tunas. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed after eating Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, or Trader Joe’s branded tunas? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of unsafe food products are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.