Several brands of canned tuna sold by prominent retailers are being recalled due to potential botulism contamination, posing serious health risks.

• Products include canned tuna from Trader Joe's, Costco, and H-E-B, among others.
• The recall affects various states and is prompted by a "manufacturing defect" in the packaging.
• No illnesses have been reported as of now, but consumers are urged to return products for safety.

Canned tuna products sold across the United States have been recalled due to concerns regarding contamination with clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness. The recall involves multiple brands, including Genova, Van Camp's, H-E-B, and Trader Joe's, as announced by Tri-Union Seafoods and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall was initiated after the company discovered that the "easy-open" pull tab lids had a manufacturing defect, compromising the seal integrity. This could allow the tuna to be contaminated over time. Tri-Union Seafoods emphasized that the recall is being conducted "out of an abundance of caution" after being alerted about the defects and urged consumers not to consume the affected products, regardless of their appearance or smell, as CBS News reported.

The impacted products were sold in various large retailers. For example, canned tuna under the Trader Joe's brand has been distributed in states including Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and many others, while items under the Genova brand were available at Costco locations in Florida and Georgia, as noted by Newsweek.

Although there have been no reported illnesses associated with the recalled items, the CDC warns that botulism can cause severe symptoms, including muscle paralysis and breathing difficulties, which can be deadly. They advise consumers who have purchased the affected tuna to either return it to the store for a full refund, dispose of it properly, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods for further assistance. More details can be found in a notice shared by The New York Times.

Concerned consumers are encouraged to seek updates from retailers and the FDA and to monitor their health closely for any adverse effects related to the consumption of these products.

For more information on the recall and specific product details, please refer to the SFGate article.