Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Genova Yellowfin Tuna recall: Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Recall published 10 months ago

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Genova Seafood — recalled seafoodGenova Seafood — recalled seafood (photo 2)Genova Seafood — recalled seafood (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Botulism risk

This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

What the notice says: The initial voluntary recall was conducted following notification from our supplier that the “easy open” pull tab can lid on limited products had 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.

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
January 16, 2026
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Genova
Product type
Seafood
Distribution
California

Products covered by this recall

Yellowfin Tuna

What the company announced

El Segundo, CA, January 16, 2026 – Tri-Union Seafoods is cautioning consumers that a third-party distributor inadvertently released quarantined product that was associated to a February 2025 recall. The initial voluntary recall was conducted following notification from our supplier that the “easy open” pull tab can lid on limited products had 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.

This current recall was initiated after Tri-Union Seafoods discovered that quarantined cases, associated with the initial recall, were inadvertently shipped by a third-party distributor. The impacted products were distributed to limited retail stores as follows:

Meijer – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Giant Foods – Maryland and Virginia

Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – California

Recalled products include specific can codes and Best if Used By dates indicated on the bottom of the cans, and UPC numbers listed below:

  • Description: 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
  • Description: S84N D3L · UPC: 1/24/2028
  • Description: 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

Consumers should not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Consumers feeling unwell should seek immediate medical attention.

If you have a recalled tuna can, please return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, throw it away, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product. Consumers can contact Tri-Union Seafoods at [email protected] or 833-374-0171, if they have any questions or to request replacement product. The toll-free number hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

For media inquiries, contact [email protected] .

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 1/21/2028
  • 1/17/2028

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 5.0 oz
  • 4 Pack
  • 2 L
  • 3 L

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Botulism

Genova — This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. If anyone has eaten it and has blurred vision, trouble swallowing or weakness, call 911 — this does not wait for an appointment.
  3. Do not open the container. If it is already open, do not sniff it — double-bag it and keep it away from children and pets.
  4. Throw it away so nobody else can retrieve it, or follow the disposal wording in the official notice if it specifies a method.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: If you have a recalled tuna can, please return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, throw it away, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.

Company contact: Tri-Union Seafoods — Consumers: Tri-Union Seafoods, 833-374-0171, [email protected] — Media: [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Genova seafood recalled?

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum The initial voluntary recall was conducted following notification from our supplier that the “easy open” pull tab can lid on limited products had 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.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 1/21/2028 or 1/17/2028. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: If you have a recalled tuna can, please return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, throw it away, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly for a retrieval kit and a coupon for a replacement product.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California.

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