Recalled Tuna From Last Year Just Showed Up in Stores Again
The FDA announced Monday that canned tuna recalled nearly a year ago just got shipped to grocery stores across nine states. Not new tuna with the same problem. The actual recalled product that was supposed to be quarantined.
A third-party distributor "inadvertently" sent it out, according to the FDA. Inadvertently is doing some serious work in that sentence, considering this tuna was recalled back in February 2025 for potentially containing Clostridium botulinum—the bacteria that causes botulism, which is about as awful as it sounds.
Where This Mess Landed
The tuna showed up at Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Giant Foods in Maryland and Virginia got it too. California residents shopping at Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions might also have grabbed some.
Officials are being direct: don't eat this tuna even if it looks and smells normal. If you start feeling sick after eating it, get medical help immediately.
What You're Looking For
Two products got shipped out:
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)
If you've got either of these sitting in your pantry, throw them out.
The Original Problem
Tri-Union Seafoods recalled this tuna last February after discovering the "easy open" pull tab lids were defective. The defect could cause cans to leak or become contaminated with Clostridium botulinum—the bacteria behind botulism, a potentially fatal type of food poisoning that attacks the nervous system.
That initial recall was huge, hitting 27 states and major chains like Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Kroger. The tuna was supposed to be quarantined after that. Locked down. Nowhere near a shipping truck or store shelf.
Instead, here we are, with recalled tuna from last year somehow making it back into the supply chain. The FDA's announcement doesn't offer much beyond "inadvertently," which feels pretty thin considering the stakes.
Bottom line: check your pantry for those UPC codes. If they match, toss them. Botulism isn't worth the gamble.
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