The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall notice for certain canned Genova-brand tuna products sold in nine states after a distributor mistakenly shipped products that had already been pulled from circulation over a botulism risk.
According to the FDA, the tuna was part of an earlier recall issued in February 2025 by Tri-Union Seafoods, the company that owns and manufactures the Genova brand.. The company had flagged a defect in the cans’ easy-open pull tabs that could weaken the seal over time, allowing leaks or contamination.
The cans were supposed to remain quarantined. Instead, a third-party distributor accidentally sent some of them back into retail supply.
The concern now, though, has to do with the likely presence of Clostridium botulinum, bacteria that cause botulism and a rare but serious form of food poisoning that can lead to paralysis and can even be life-threatening.
The FDA says the risk comes not from visible spoilage but from the compromised packaging, meaning the tuna may look and smell normal, so it’s probably best not to rely on your senses to judge if it’s safe.
The recall affects two Genova-brand tuna items:
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
- 5.0-oz four-pack
- UPC: 4800073265
- Can codes: S84N D2L, S84N D3L
- Best-by dates: Jan. 21, 2028, and Jan. 24, 2028
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt
- 5.0-oz can
- UPC: 4800013275
- Can code: S88N D1M
- Best-by date: Jan. 17, 2028
Where the tuna was sold
The recalled cans were distributed through the following retailers:
- Meijer — Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
- Giant Food — Maryland, Virginia
- Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions — California
What to do if you have it
The FDA is urging customers not to eat the tuna, even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage.
Shoppers can either return the product to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of it. Tri-Union Seafoods is also offering retrieval kits and replacement coupons for affected customers. The company can be reached at 833-374-0171 or via its customer support portal.
Botulism cases tied to commercial food products are rare, but when they happen, officials tend to act fast. This recall is less about a new failure and more about a breakdown in the follow-through after the first warning.