Recalled tuna shipped to stores in 9 states, including MD

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are warning consumers that tuna recently shipped to several states, including Maryland, was previously recalled roughly a year ago.

On Monday, Jan. 20, a third-party distributor “inadvertently” shipped canned tuna that was quarantined after Tri-Union Seafoods initiated a recall in February 2025, according to a press release from the FDA.

The tuna was shipped to six different grocery store chains in nine states, among them are Meijer in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; Giant Foods in Maryland and Virginia; as well as California locations of Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions.

Officials say that consumers should “not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled,” and if consumers begin feeling unwell, they should seek immediate medical attention.

What tuna cans are being recalled?

According to the health agency, the following products were accidentally shipped to stores across the country.

• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil 5.0 oz 4 Pack – UPC: 4800073265
• Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt 5.0 oz – UPC: 4800013275

Recalled tuna dates back to February 2025 because of faulty lids

The tuna was initially recalled in February 2025 after Tri-Union Seafoods learned that some of the products’ “easy open” pull tab lids were defective, potentially causing the cans to leak or become “contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.”

The initial recall affected tuna shipped to stores in 27 states, which included Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Kroger and other national grocery chains.

What is Clostridium botulinum and botulism?

Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium that can produce botulinum toxins under low-oxygen conditions, according to the USDA.

The bacterium grows on improperly sterilized canned meats and other preserved foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control, if consumed, it can cause food poisoning (botulism), which causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.