Tuna sold under the brand names Chicken of the Sea and Bumble Bee are being recalled due to potential contamination, manufacturers report. The callback affects about 34,000 cases of the canned fish products.
Bumble Bee alone is recalling 31,579 cases of potentially tainted products produced during February 2016. An error while sterilizing containers at a packaging facility led to the voluntary recall. Although contamination by pathogens could be harmful or deadly, no one has yet reported negative health effects from consuming the foods.
"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," Bumble Bee says. Consumers are advised to throw away the recalled product."
Tri-Union Seafoods, the manufacturer of Chicken of the Sea brand tuna, is also facing their own recall over potential contamination of the foods by microorganisms. This decision was spurred by sterilization issues, as well as equipment malfunctions threatening the safety of the canned fish. This recall, initiated by the manufacturer, affects 2,745 cases of tuna.
"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," Shue Wing Chan, president of Tri-Union Seafoods, says.
The potentially tainted cans of tuna were distributed nationwide, and were sold by retailers and large chain stores. All of the cans affected by the recalls held 5 ounces of product, and were packed with either water or oil.
Consumers concerned with the safety of Bumble Bee products on their shelves are encouraged to contact the company any day of the week, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, at (888) 820-1947.
People who purchased Chicken of the Sea products can direct questions to the company at (866) 600-2681. Recalled cans from that manufacturer may be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.
