Bumble Bee Foods and Tri-Union Seafoods are voluntarily recalling canned chunk light tuna because of possible health risks.
“These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed,” both companies said in separate statements.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled tuna.
The recalls are related, according to Steve Mavity, Bumble Bee’s senior vice president, technical services and corporate quality. “Bumble Bee recalled specific codes of canned Chunk Light Tuna produced in Chicken of the Sea’s Georgia production facility, a third-party supplier for Bumble Bee,” Mavity said.
“During a routine inspection, it was discovered there was a malfunction in a machinery part. That part has been replaced, and the proper functionality of the machine verified,” said John DeBeer, vice president of Quality and Compliance for Chicken of the Sea.
Bumble Bee is recalling 31,579 cases of the canned tuna with UPC codes 8660000020, 8660000021 and 8660000736. They were produced in February 2016 and distributed nationally. The company said they could pose a possible health risk because of “process deviations” which occurred in a packing facility not owned or operated by Bumble Bee.
“The recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to the possible under-processing of the affected products,” Bumble Bee said.
Tri-Union Seafoods is recalling 2,745 cases of Chicken of the Sea brand canned tuna because it might be undercooked due to an equipment malfunction, according to manufacturer Tri-Union Seafoods. The recalled UPC codes are 0 4800000195 5 and 0 4800000245 7. They were produced between February 10, 2016 and March 16, 2016.
No other production codes or products are affected by the recalls, both companies said. Other products are manufactured at the same facility, DeBeer said, but an internal investigation determined no other products were affected.
Consumers who have recalled products from these respective companies should throw them away. Those who want more information about reimbursement or have questions about the recall can contact Bumble Bee at 888-820-1947 and Tri-Union Seafoods at 866-600-2681.
Bumble Bee is working with the co-packer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove the products as quickly as possible, it said. Tri-Union Seafoods issued the recall to ensure the highest level of safety and quality, it said.
