Equipment malfunctions and sterilization issues spurred the second nationwide canned tuna recall in two days with Tri-Union Seafoods LLC pulling back more than 107,000 cans of Chicken of the Sea tuna.
The 2,745-case recall of Chicken of the Sea branded tuna today followed a 31,579-case recall of Bumble Bee Foods LLC canned tuna on Wednesday. The Bumble Bee recall notice did not specify how may individual cans were involved.
Retailers nationwide received the recalled tuna and would have had it available for sale to consumers from Feb. 10 through March 16, according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
Both company’s recall notices cite problems with the “commercial sterilization process” at production facilities. Neither notice disclosed the location of the facilities involved.
“This recall has been initiated because the product may have been undercooked due to an equipment malfunction, which was uncovered during a routine inspection,” according to the Chicken of the Sea recall notice.
“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.”
The Tri-Union Seafoods recall of the Chicken of the Sea tuna covers 5-ounce cans of chunk light tuna packed in water and in oil. The recalled cans can be identified by UPC numbers on the labels and best-by dates printed on the bottom of the cans. Product lot codes on the bottom of the cans can also be used to identify the recalled tuna.
“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,” according to the Tri-Union recall notice.
Specific lot codes to look for on Chicken of the Sea 5-ounce cans of chunk light tuna in oil, with a best-by date of Feb. 10, 2019, and a UPC number of 0 4800000195 5 are:
6OA3Z SCEES
6OAAZ SCEES
6OABZ SCEEB
6OACZ SCEEB
Specific lot codes and best-by dates to look for on Chicken of the Sea 5-ounce cans of chunk light tuna in water, with a UPC number of 0 4800000245 7 are:
6OJEB 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
6L2CB SCAFB — 3/2/19
6L32B SCAEB — 3/3/19
6L33B SCAEB — 3/3/19
6L35B SCAEB — 3/3/19
6L3CB SCAEB — 3/3/19
