Tuna Recall Expanded, 'Life-Threatening' Contamination Possible: FDA

By Tom Davis, Patch Staff

WILMINGTON, MA - More brands say they're recalling tens of thousands of tuna cans - including those shipped to Massachusetts - because of "life-threatening" contamination that was found.

Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea both announced Thursday they're recalling their tuna because of the health risk.

Bumble Bee said it is recalling cans because of deviations that occurred in a co-pack facility not owned or operated by Bumble Bee.

These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to "life-threatening illness if consumed," according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

There have been no reports of illness associated with these products to date. No other production codes or products are affected by this recall, according to an FDA release.

There are a total of 31,579 Bumble Bee cases that are included in the recall, which were produced in February 2016 and distributed nationally.

The Bumble Bee products subject to this recall are marked with a can code that starts with a "T" (example: TOA2BSCAFB) and have the following "best by" dates:

• 5oz Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Water, Best by Dates: 02/10/2019, 02/16/2019, 02/17/2019, 02/18/2019
• 5oz Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Oil, Best by Dates: 02/23/2019
• Pack of 5oz Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Water, Best by Dates: 02/9/2019, 02/10/2019, 02/22/2019, 02/29/2019

Tri-Union Seafoods LLC, meanwhile, is voluntarily recalling a 2,745 cases - equal to 107,280 cans - of Chicken of the Sea brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in oil and 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in water.

This recall has been initiated because the product may have been undercooked because of an equipment malfunction, which was uncovered during a routine inspection, according to the FDA.

These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed.

The specific products being recalled are as follows:

Chicken of the Sea 5 Oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Oil

Chicken of the Sea Brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in oil sold at retailers nationwide in single cans between Feb. 10, 2016 and March 16, 2016.

The UPC code is 0 4800000195 5 and the Best By date is 2/10/19.

Chicken of the Sea 5 Oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Water

Chicken of the Sea Brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in water sold at retailers nationwide in single cans between Feb. 18, 2016 and March 16, 2016.

The UPC code is 0 4800000245 7. The Best By dates are:

• 2/18/19
• 2/22/19
• 2/23/19
• 2/25/19
• 3/2/19
• 3/3/19

"The health and safety of our consumers is our number one priority. As soon as we discovered the issue, we took immediate steps to initiate this voluntary recall, alerting our retail customers that received the product and instructing them to remove it from store shelves," said Shue Wing Chan, president of Tri-Union Seafoods LLC.

No other codes of these products or other Chicken of the Sea products are affected by this voluntary recall.

Consumers may return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Anyone with questions or concerns about this recall should call the 24-hour recall information line at 1-866-600-2681.