The FDA has issued an update for a massive recall of canned tuna that potentially contains bacteria known to cause paralysis.

In February, Tri-Union Seafoods issued a recall that now includes various brands like Genova, Trader Joe’s, HEB, and Van Camp, which has been classified as a Class II recall.

That means the canned tuna ‘may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.’

The problem arose due to a defect in the pull-up lid that was not properly sealed during the manufacturing phase, potentially allowing harmful bacteria to contaminate the tuna.

This issue impacted multiple varieties of Genova canned tuna, Trader Joe’s products, two types of Van Camp’s items, and a single H-E-B product, which were distributed to stores across 25 states.

The FDA’s notice noted that 141,470 cases have been recalled, which were distributed nationwide. 

The FDA upgraded the class of a major canned tuna recall in February. The product may contain a bacteria that causes paralysis

Tri-Union Seafoods advised all shoppers who purchased the items to return them for a full refund, throw them away, or contact the company for a retrieval kit and product coupon.

The company said the recall ‘was out of an abundance of caution’ after its supplier notified it about the faulty lid.

The defect ‘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,’ Tri-Union Seafoods added.

Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped bacteria that produces lethal toxins under low-oxygen conditions that can cause botulism, leading to difficulty breathing, respiratory and muscle paralysis and in certain cases, death. 

Botulism is a rare food poisoning that can affect one’s body within 12 to 36 hours after ingesting the affected food, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

However, in some cases, symptoms have been recorded to begin between four and eight days after ingestion.

Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are some of the early symptoms an individual can go through once they unintentionally ingest the poison.

This food poisoning can occasionally be fatal and be caused by respiratory failure or airway obstructions.

As of now, no illnesses or deaths have been reported due to ingesting the recalled tuna products.

The same bacteria was part of another recall last week after it was found in several varieties of pre-cut Japanese pickles.

Customers are being warned not to eat the veg made by California-based company Choshiya Honten Ltd due to the potential risk of Clostridium botulinum.

The products that have been recalled are Shiba Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables, Aokappa Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables, Fukushin Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables, Soft Tsubozuke Prepared Mix Vegetables, Rakkyo Zuke Prepared Vegetables and Choshiya’s Abura-Itame Zhasai Prepared Sichuan Vegetable.

All of the six of the products were distributed in Tokyo Central / Marukai stores located in San Diego, Torrance, Gardena, Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and West Covina in California.

In its recall notice, AKT Trading Inc assured buyers: ‘AKT Trading Inc. is committed to the safety and quality of its products and is taking this action out of an abundance of caution.

‘We are cooperating fully with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this matter.’