Canned tuna recalled due to under-processing issue

Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea 5oz canned tuna are both being recalled due to improper processing. The specific lot codes for each brand were produced in the same facility in Georgia.  The situation may have resulted in under-processing thus leading to spoilage or pathogen growth, namely Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism.  The issue was discovered during routine inspection.





FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm491206.htm
Tri-Union Seafoods LLC Issues Precautionary, Voluntary Recall on Select 5 oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Oil and 5 oz. Canned Chuck Light Tuna in Water
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2016

Contact
Consumers 1-866-600-2681
MediaRebecca Howe Schmidt rh@nstpr.com (619) 296-0605, ext. 243

Announcement
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Tri-Union Seafoods LLC is voluntarily recalling a 2,745 cases (equal to 107,280 cans) of Chicken of the Sea brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in oil and 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in water.

This recall has been initiated because the product may have been undercooked due to an equipment malfunction, which was uncovered during a routine inspection. 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. There have been no reported illnesses to date connected with the affected products, and Tri-Union Seafoods LLC is issuing this voluntary recall to ensure the highest level of safety and quality.

The UPC code, Best By date and lot codes are used to determine the products involved. The UPC code (also known as the bar code) is found on the label of the product. The Best By date is printed on the bottom of the can. The product lot codes that are part of this voluntary recall can also be found on the bottom of the can.

The specific products being recalled are as follows:

Chicken of the Sea 5 Oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Oil

Chicken of the Sea Brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in oil sold at retailers nationwide in single cans between Feb. 10, 2016 and March 16, 2016.

The UPC code is 0 4800000195 5 and the Best By date is 2/10/19.

LOT CODEBEST BY DATE6OA3Z SCEES 2/10/19
6OAAZ SCEES 2/10/19
6OABZ SCEEB 2/10/19
6OACZ SCEEB 2/10/19


Chicken of the Sea 5 Oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Water

Chicken of the Sea Brand 5 oz. canned chunk light tuna in water sold at retailers nationwide in single cans between Feb. 18, 2016 and March 16, 2016.

The UPC code is 0 4800000245 7. The Best By dates are:
2/18/19
2/22/19
2/23/19
2/25/19
3/2/19
3/3/19

LOT CODEBEST BY DATE6OJEB SCAEB 2/18/19
6OJCB SCAFB 2/18/19
6ONEB SCAIB 2/22/19
6OOFZ SCAFB 2/23/19
6ORDB SCAFB 2/25/19
6ORAB SCAFB 2/25/19


LOT CODEBEST BY DATE6L2CB SCAFB 3/2/19
6L32B SCAEB 3/3/19
6L33B SCAEB 3/3/19
6L35B SCAEB 3/3/19
6L3CB SCAEB 3/3/19


"The health and safety of our consumers is our number one priority. As soon as we discovered the issue, we took immediate steps to initiate this voluntary recall, alerting our retail customers that received the product and instructing them to remove it from store shelves," said Shue Wing Chan, president of Tri-Union Seafoods LLC.

No other codes of these products or other Chicken of the Sea products are affected by this voluntary recall.

Consumers may return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Anyone with questions or concerns about this recall should call the 24-hour recall information line at 1-866-600-2681


Bumble Bee Foods, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall on 3 Production Codes of Canned Chunk Light Tuna Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2016

Contact
ConsumersBumble Bee Foods, LLC (888) 820-1947
MediaBrittany Porrazzo FleishmanHillard (619) 237-7717

Announcement
View Product Photos

SAN DIEGO – Bumble Bee Foods, LLC announced today that it is voluntarily recalling 3 specific UPC codes of canned Chunk Light tuna due to process deviations that occurred in a co-pack facility not owned or operated by Bumble Bee. 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. It is important to note that there have been no reports of illness associated with these products to date. No other production codes or products are affected by this recall.

There are a total of 31,579 cases that are included in the recall which were produced in February 2016 and distributed nationally. The products subject to this recall are marked with a can code that starts with a "T" (example: TOA2BSCAFB) and have the following "best by" dates:

Label UPCProduct"Best By" Dates"8660000020 5oz Bumble Bee Chunk
Light Tuna in Water 02/10/2019, 02/16/2019, 02/17/2019, 02/18/2019,
02/22/2019, 02/23/2019, 02/25/2019
8660000021 5oz Bumble Bee Chunk
Light Tuna in Oil 02/23/2019
8660000736 4 Pack of 5oz Bumble Bee
Chunk Light Tuna in
Water 02/9/2019, 02/10/2019, 02/22/2019, 02/29/2019


The recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to the possible under-processing of the affected products discovered by the co-packer during its routine quality audit. Bumble Bee is working closely with the co-packer and the FDA to expedite the removal of products from commerce.

Consumers are advised to throw away the recalled product. Consumers looking for more information on reimbursement or whom have questions about the recall may contact Bumble Bee at (888) 820-1947 between the hours of 9am and 6pm EST seven days a week or visit www.bumblebee.com/recall-march-2016.