Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea tuna cans recalled over contamination worries

Bumble Bee Foods is recalling multiple varieties of its popular tuna products because the seals, or seams, on the cans may be loosened and dangerous organisms may get in.

The recall, announced March 6, involves 5-ounce cans of Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products that were distributed for retail sale around the United States between January 17, 2013 and February 28, 2013.

"The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the company's standards for seal tightness," according to a company statement on the Food and Drug Administration website.

Loose seals could cause the food to spoil or could result in contamination by pathogens that lead to illness if eaten. There have been no illnesses reported to date from this recall.

Affected products are:

• Brunswick Brand 5oz Chunk Light Tuna in Water -- 48 Count Case (Case UPC 6661332803)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk Light Tuna in Water -- 48 Count Case (Case UPC 8660000020)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil -- 48 Count Case (Case UPC 8660000021)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk White Albacore in Water -- 24 Count Case (Case UPC 8660000025)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk Light Tuna in Water -- 6 Count Case of 4-Pack Cluster (Case UPC 8660000736)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk White Albacore in Water -- 6 Count Case of 8-Pack Cluster (Case UPC 8660000775)
• Bumble Bee Brand 5oz Chunk White Albacore in Water -- 6 Count Case of 8-Pack Cluster (Case UPCS 8660000776)

Consumers should visit the FDA's website for a complete list of can lot codes and can best by dates for the affected products.

"Due to can integrity concerns, our top priority at this time is to remove these recalled products from distribution as soon as possible. We are working closely with our sales team and with retailers to help expedite the recall," Steve Mavity, Bumble Bee Foods SVP of technical services and corporate quality assurance, said in a statement.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should throw them out in the garbage and contact Bumble Bee Consumer Affairs 24 hours a day at 1-800-800-8572 for reimbursement or any questions.

Also on March 6th, Tri-Union Seafoods LLC announced a recall of lots of its Chicken of the Sea brand 5-ounce cans of chunk white albacore in water because of problems with the cans.

"The seams on the lids of the cans do not meet the standard for seam quality," the company said in a statement on the FDA's website.

The UPC code -- or bar code -- is 0 48000 03355 0 and is located on the label of the product. The Best By date, of 01/18/17, is printed on the bottom of the can.

A full list of affected codes can be found on the FDA's website.

No illnesses have yet to be reported but like Bumble Bee, the company fears the seam problems can result in product contamination with pathogens and spoilage.

"The health and safety of our consumers is paramount. As soon as we discovered the issue, we took immediate steps to issue this voluntary recall by alerting our customers who received the product and by asking them to remove it from store shelves," Shue Wing Chan, President of Tri-Union Seafoods said in a statement.

Consumers looking for additional information can call Tri-Union Seafoods at their 24-hour recall information line at 1-800-597-5898.